Public Commons

• polices relating to park and front-yard trees

Part of General Policies

At the Parks and Environment Committee on June 17 2010, Forestry staff presented a slide show in their mapping of Toronto's trees with a sophisticated American computer program. They said the point was to get a baseline of the number of trees so that Forestry could follow Council's direction of increasing the city's tree cover.

The discussion moved to the trees by-law and the difficulty of enforcing the tree protection policy. Councillor Walker said it might be impossible to force construction companies not to destroy trees when they build.

There also seemed to be an interest in using this map to get carbon credits.

• City Street Tree By-law (Article II of Chapter 813)
• Private Tree By-law (Article III of Chapter 813)
• Ravine and Natural Feature Protection By-law
• Filling and Grading By-law (former City of Toronto)
• Filling and Grading By-Law (former City of Etobicoke)
• Parks Bylaw

• "Tree Protection Policy and Specifications for Construction Near Trees"
• "Information About: The Agreement for Contractors to Perform Arboricultural Services on City Owned Street Trees"
• "Removal of Crab Apple Trees that are Situated on City road Allowances" Policy
• "Maintenance of Street Trees which are less than 50% on City Property (City/Private Boundary Line Trees)"Policy
• "Bees, Wasps and Hornets Nests In Trees" Policy
• Termite Policy

TREE PROTECTION POLICY

AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION NEAR TREES

Introduction

The maintenance and enhancement of the urban forest is one of our goals. Preserving and protecting healthy trees is one objective towards achieving this goal. Including trees in the initial stages of construction planning may mean the difference between preserving a healthy tree or having to remove it.

When plans are created with tree preservation in mind, you can help us protect our existing tree resource.

The tree protection policies and specifications outlined below reflect the policy of Toronto City Council.

Anyone failing to adhere to the tree protection policies and specifications will be financially responsible for any resulting damage to trees and may be charged under the provisions of the applicable City of Toronto tree by-law.

Prior to commencing with any construction activity on your property it is important that you consult with a tree care professional to determine the type and condition of the trees on your property and surrounding properties and to become aware of the tree protection by-laws that could impact your proposal.

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