March 15, 1999

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Joe Halstead, Commissioner Economic Development, Culture & Tourism

Subject:706 1/2 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, Ward 25 (Don River) - Municipal Code, Chapter 331, Article III, Trees

Purpose:

The Toronto Community Council, on January 20, 1999, deferred consideration of the January 4, 1999 report for removal of a privately owned horsechestnut tree from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, and requested the City Arborist and a Cantonese-speaking official from the Department of Public Health to conduct a site visit with the applicant and report back to the Toronto Community Council on a pruning strategy.

Source of Funds:

There are no funding implications.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

1. this report be received for information.

Comments:

On February 4, 1999, a meeting took place at 706 1/2 Gerrard Street East with the applicant, a representative from Councillor Layton's office and representatives from Public Health and Forestry. The issue of pruning the fifty centimetre diameter horsechestnut was discussed at the meeting and in the opinion of Urban Forestry staff, pruning could be undertaken to reduce the amount of fruit fall in the yard of the applicant without injuring the tree. The applicant agreed to the pruning of the tree and withdrew the request for tree removal. Urban Forestry staff agreed to help the applicant obtain quotations for tree pruning from private tree companies. The lowest bid to undertake the agreed upon pruning was $250.00.

On February 12, 1999, a second meeting took place with Urban Forestry staff, the applicant and their choice for a tree service company. At this meeting the applicant indicated that she does not want to spend the money to have the tree pruned and requested that Toronto Community Council proceed with the application for tree removal.

The problem that the applicant is experiencing with the chestnuts that fall in the late summer can be dealt with by pruning some of the limbs that overhang their property. In the opinion of Urban Forestry staff, the inconvenience resulting from the falling chestnuts is minor and not a valid reason to remove a majestic shade tree.

Contact Name:

Andrew Pickett

(416) 392-6644

Joe Halstead

Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism