Tree Removal - 523 Davisville Avenue (North Toronto)

The Toronto Community Council recommends that City Council refuse to issue a permit for tree removal at 523 Davisville Avenue.

The Toronto Community Council submits the following report (March 15, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism:

Purpose:

An application for a permit to remove one tree on private property that is damaging the garage roof and foundation has been filed by Ms. Amanda Kelly, owner of 523 Davisville Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4S 1J2.

Financial Implications:

There is not funding implications with this request.

Recommendations:

Either 1, or 2 below

(1)refuse to issue a permit for tree removal; or

(2)issue a permit for tree removal conditional on the applicant agreeing to plant an 80 millimetre caliper large growing native shade tree.

Comments:

The tree in question is a seventy-eight centimetre diameter native elm in fair condition. The tree is located adjacent to the applicant's garage and a portion of the main stem may be on the neighbours property at 525 Davisville Avenue. The arborist report prepared by Mount Pleasant Tree Service that accompanies the application states that the elm tree has deadwood throughout the crown and that the foliage is infested with the elm leaf beetle. The report states that the tree has three main stems that are joined with weak v-shaped unions. The report concludes that the tree is in decline and has the potential for structural failure and is therefore no longer viable to maintain.

In the opinion of Urban Forestry staff the elm tree is a viable specimen and if a program of regularly scheduled maintenance is implemented, it would remain as a rare and significant asset in the Community's urban forest. The elm leaf beetle population fluctuates annually and this past season the population was high. Premature defoliation associated with the beetles feeding does not have significant impact on the health of the tree. The weak unions of the three main stems as described in the arborist report are structurally sound at this time and any developing cracks can be detected prior to limb failure with regularly scheduled inspections by an arborist.

A notice of application sign was posted on the property for the required 14 day posting period, in order to notify the neighbourhood and provide an opportunity for objection to the application. One written objection was received in response to the application to remove the tree in question. A copy of this letter has been forwarded to the Community Council Secretary for the Community Council to review.

Contact Name:

Andrew Pickett

392-6644

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(A copy of the letter in opposition, referred to in the foregoing report was forwarded to all Members of the Toronto Community Council with the agenda for its meeting on March 30, 1999, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk).