June 22, 1999
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Joe Halstead, Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
Subject:41 Wayland Avenue - Request to Remove City-Owned Tree - Ward 26 - East Toronto
Purpose:
A request to remove one City-owned tree at 41 Wayland Avenue due to its exposed surface roots and damage to the
property's drains has been filed by the owner, Ms. Pamela Ryan of 41 Wayland Avenue, Toronto, Ontario.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that the request for removal of this City-owned tree be denied.
Comments:
The tree in question is a thirty-nine centimetre diameter Norway Maple in fair condition, valued at $1,219.61 and does not
qualify for removal at this time. The costs to remove the tree is $346.38 and the cost to plant a replacement tree is $565.15,
for a total of $2,131.14. If Council should approve tree removal contrary to the recommendation in this report, it should be
conditional on the applicant paying all costs involved, as noted above for a total of $2,131.14.
With respect to the applicant's concerns about the tree affecting her drains, Urban Forestry Services advised that Ms. Ryan
that tree roots generally grow within the first twenty-four inches of soil where they are best able to meet their needs for
oxygen, water and nutrients. Any soil area deeper than twenty-four inches becomes anaerobic and the roots can not meet
their needs. In circumstances where a broken or cracked drain has become leaky, tree roots will grow deeper than normal as
they are attracted to the water nutrients and oxygen available from the broken drains. It is not the tree that breaks the drains,
it is a broken or cracked drain which attracts the roots.
Conclusion:
The Norway Maple contributes to the enhancement of the community. Since it would be necessary to remove a healthy tree
which does not qualify for removal, this Department is opposed to removal of this tree. Furthermore, removal of trees for
this purpose would set an undesirable precedent resulting in thousands of trees being removed City wide.
Contact:
Vicky Jeffery
392-7390
Joe Halstead
Commissioner Economic Development, Culture & Tourism
