Tree Removal - 706 ½ Gerrard Street East (Don River)
The Toronto Community Council recommends that City Council refuse to issue a permit
for tree removal at 706 1/2 Gerrard Street East.
The Toronto Community Council submits the following report (January 4, 1999) from
the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism:
Purpose:
An application for a permit to remove one tree on private property that has caused concern due
to falling fruit has been filed by Mr. Que Nguyet Chau, 706 ½ Gerrard Street East, Toronto,
Ontario, M4M 1Y3, owner of 706 ½ Gerrard Street East.
Financial Implications:
N/A
Recommendations:
Either 1, or 2 below
(1)refuse to issue a permit for tree removal; or
(2)issue a permit for tree removal.
Comments:
The tree in question is a fifty centimetre diameter horsechestnut in fair condition. The
applicant is concerned with the falling chestnuts and the threat that they pose to his children.
The fruit of the chestnut is approximately six centimetres in diameter and in certain years the
tree will produce an abundant crop that can be a nuisance when the fruit ripens in September.
The tree in question provides an aesthetic screen between the properties located on Gerrard
Street East and those located on Simpson Avenue. The view from both sides would be
significantly changed if the chestnut tree were to be removed. The chestnut tree should be
pruned by a qualified tree expert to repair improper pruning cuts that have occurred in the
past. The pruning will also provide some clearance of branches overhanging the applicant's
rear yard.
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. Two written objections were received in response to the application to remove the
tree in question. Copies of these letters have been forwarded to the Community Council
Secretary for the Community Council to review.
Contact Name:
Andrew Pickett
Telephone:(416) 392-6644
Facsimile:(416) 392-6657
e-mail:apickett@toronto.ca
The Toronto Community Council also submits the following report (March 15, 1999)
from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism:
Purpose:
The Toronto Community Council, on January 20, 1999, deferred consideration of the
January4,1999 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 this report be received for information.
Comments:
On February 4, 1999, a meeting took place at 706 ½ 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
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(A copy of the letters in opposition, referred to in the foregoing report dated January 4, 1999,
from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, was forwarded to
all Members of the Toronto Community Council with the agenda for its meeting on May 26,
1999, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk).
The Toronto Community Council reports, for the information of Council, having also had
before it during consideration of the foregoing matter, the communication (March 25, 1999)
from Ms. Myrna Moore, in opposition to the application, and a copy thereof is on file in the
office of the City Clerk.
