2021.MM36.36

Background

A sidewalk installation on Dwight Avenue between Birmingham Street and Maple Street in Ward 3 will result in the removal of twelve trees in the work zone, adjacent to Second Street Junior Middle School. Project staff have explored alternative options, and confirmed that there is no way to accommodate the sidewalk, and maintain the existing trees. There is significant concern among the local community that too many neighbourhood trees are being removed through various building and construction projects.

Ten of the twelve trees are tree species that are no longer being planted due to various impacts such as susceptibility to forest pests, like the Emerald Ash Borer or invasive qualities. As we know, because of these types of pests, it is likely that Ash trees in the City will require removal in the future. While the loss of these trees is significant, there is an opportunity to offset the removal, and bolster our tree canopy by increasing the replanting ratio, and planting healthier trees now.

Source: City of Toronto

Item Description

City Council on October 1 and 4, 2021, adopted the following:

1. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to halt the tree removal of the twelve City-owned trees on Dwight Avenue until such time that staff can study the feasibility of narrowing Dwight Avenue, in an attempt to accommodate the proposed new sidewalk and save the existing trees, and to report back to the December 2, 2021 meeting of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee on the findings.

Source: City of Toronto

Proposed by

Councillor Mark Grimes, seconded by Councillor Mike Colle