Re: Arborist Report for 200 Dundas St. East, Toronto (WARD 27)

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1 April 29, 2014 Land Art Design 52 Mimico Avenue, Studio B Toronto, Ontario. M8V 1R1 Re: Arborist Report for 200 Dundas St. East, Toronto (WARD 27) Kelly's Tree Care Ltd. was asked to prepare an Arborist Report for Development Applications for 200 Dundas St. East in Toronto. It is proposed to demolish the existing building and to build a structure in its place. This includes changing the existing building footprint and driveway access at the east and west. INSPECTION The trees were inspected on, April 25, All trees of any size on the municipal boulevard were examined and given a category as indicated on the attached Arborist Report for Development Applications. There are no trees over 30 cm in diameter located on private property at the site. For each tree, the species was identified, diameter measured and the health and structural condition determined. Tree inspection was limited to visual on-ground examination without dissection, excavation, probing, or coring. Furthermore, any data and information collected is based on the conditions at the time of inspection. The tree inventory information is attached, as an excel spreadsheet titled Tree Inventory. The number given each tree was placed on the site plan by hand and this plan is attached as Tree Preservation Plan. If the tree location was not provided, the relative tree location was placed on the site plan; this location was not surveyed and may not be accurate. Tree Category 5 refers to trees on the municipal boulevard. This property is not designated Ravine by the City of Toronto. DISCUSSION There were 9 trees inspected for the Arborist Report for Development Application at 200 Dundas St. East. All trees are located on municipal property. Seven of these trees will need to be removed due to construction activities. The remaining 2 trees will be protected with Tree Protection Fencing. Relocating the trees slated for removal with a tree spade is, unfortunately, not possible due to the small planting area of these trees. Trees 1-5 are located within 2.2 meters of the current building. These trees are in a planting area separated from the sidewalk by a curb. It is unknown what the depth of soil is in this area. Due to these restrictions, use of a tree spade would be impossible. Tree 1 is a Little-leaf Linden (Tilia cordata) in fair to good condition with a diameter of 18.5 cm at 1.4 m from grade. The tree is located in a planter 1

2 1.2 meters wide. The base of the tree is 2.2 meters from the building. There is a large wound on the north side of the tree 30 cm from grade. This tree is located within the area of the proposed driveway access at the north east of the site. Thus, the tree will have to be removed prior to construction. The removal of this tree requires replanting one tree. In addition, the client will be charged the valuation of the tree at the time of removal, and will be expected to pay for the removal of the tree and grinding the stump. Trees 2-5 are all located within the same planting area. The soil within the planting area is very compacted. These trees all have a very slow growth rate which is likely the result of limited oxygen and water uptake due to soil compaction. Tree 2 is a Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana) in fair condition with a diameter of 19 cm at 1.3 m. This tree has multiple stems at 1.4 m with included bark. There is a girdling root at the south and adventitious roots to the east. Tree 3 is a Bradford Pear in fair condition with a diameter of 20 cm. There are 2 stems at 1.6 m with included bark and stubs from poor pruning cuts to the west and north at 1.5 m. Tree 4 is a Bradford Pear in fair condition with a diameter of 16 cm. There are girdling roots to the east and northwest. The tree is growing with a significant lean towards the south. Tree 5 is a Little-leaf Linden in poor condition. Located in the same planter as trees 2-5, it is also suffering from the limited oxygen and water availability due to soil compaction. There is a probable girdling root at the southeast - indicated by a flattened section of the trunk. The growth rate is 2-3 cm which is very slow for this species. The proposed finished project includes a completely different grade and sidewalk access through this area into the adjacent retail space. Trees 2-5 are in direct conflict with the proposed construction and therefore must be removed prior to construction activities. The removal of these trees requires replanting four trees. In addition, the client will be charged the valuation of the trees at the time of removal, and will be expected to pay for the removal of the trees and grinding the stumps. Tree 6 is a Bradford Pear in poor to fair condition with a diameter of 13 cm at 1.4 m from grade. This tree has 2 stems with included bark at 1.3 m and a very slow growth rate. There are numerous broken branches along the roadway due to impact with vehicles. Tree 6 is growing in a 1.2 meter x 1.2 meter section of exposed soil within the sidewalk area, and level to the sidewalk. This tree will be protected during construction with a Tree Protection Fence constructed of webbed, orange snow fencing. The minimum protection distance (MPD) of this tree is 1.8 m. However, the tree protection fencing will enclose the exposed soil at 1.2 m 2. This will protect the trunk of the tree and the soil area. Tree 7 is a Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) in poor to fair condition with a diameter of 7.5 cm at 1.4 m from grade. This tree has a slow growth rate (3-4 cm) and small deadwood throughout the canopy. There are numerous broken branches along the roadway due to impact with vehicles. Tree 7 is growing in a 1.2 meter x 1.2 meter section of exposed soil within the sidewalk area, at the same level as the sidewalk. This tree will be protected during construction with a Tree Protection Fence constructed of webbed, orange snow fencing. The MPD of this tree is 1.2 m. The Tree Protection Fence will enclose the 1.2 m 2 section of exposed soil around the tree. 2

3 Tree 8 is a Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) in good condition with a diameter of 8.5 cm at 1.4 m from grade. There is a small wound to the north at 30 cm but the growth rate is good (10-15 cm). There is a broken branch at the roadway from impact with vehicles. Tree 9 is a Bradford Pear in poor condition with a diameter of 12 cm at 1.4 m from grade. This tree has a growth rate of less than 2 cm and a wound from 20 cm to 1 m. There are multiple stems with included bark at 1.7 m. Trees 8 and 9 are located within the proposed area of the new driveway entrance at the northwest of the subject property. Both trees will therefore need to be removed. The removal of these trees requires planting 2 replacement trees. In addition, the client will be charged the valuation of the trees at the time of removal, and will be expected to pay for the removal of the trees and grinding the stumps. TREE REMOVAL PERMITS REQUIRED On the municipal boulevard, it is proposed to remove Trees 1-5, 8 and 9, which requires a Permit. The following documents are required to process the permit: Application to a Healthy City-Owned Tree. This form is attached. It must be signed by the owner of the property Application fee payable to the Treasurer of City of Toronto by certified cheque or money order. The fee is $300 per tree. TREE REPLACEMENT SPECIFICATIONS In total, 7 municipally owned trees will be removed. This requires planting 7 replacement trees. The client will be charged the cost of removing the trees and stumps. The client will also be responsible for paying the valuation of the trees at the time of removal as determined by urban forestry. TREE PROTECTION SPECIFICATIONS The following Tree Protection Specifications should be followed to protect the trees from construction injury. Adherence to Conditions from Urban Forestry Services Compliance with all conditions specified by Urban Forestry Services under the Conditions of Permit Issuance. Prior to site disturbance the owner must confirm that no migratory birds are making use of the site for nesting. The owner must ensure that the works are in conformance with the Migratory Bird Convention Act and that no migratory bird nests will be impacted by the proposed work. Installation of Tree Protection Fences 3

4 Tree Protection Fences must be installed prior to the commencement of any construction activities. Tree Protection Fences shall be erected to protect the trunk and root system of the trees that will remain on the construction site. The Tree Protection Fences will be placed as shown on the Tree Preservation Plan. The following describes the positioning and construction of the Tree Protection Fences. The Fences around trees 6 and 7 will be constructed of L-shaped supports created from 2 by 4 wood placed no less than 4 feet apart covered with orange snow fencing. A 1-inch by 2-inch wood board will be attached to the top of the snow fencing to provide rigidity to the Fence. The fencing will be securely fastened to the supports. The supports will be anchored in such a way that the Fence cannot be moved but roots are not injured. The bottom of the fence will touch the ground. There will be no gaps in the fence. (See Detail TP-1 below) To the tree side of the Tree Protection Fence, the following will be required: - no construction; - no altering of grade by adding fill, excavating, trenching, scraping, dumping or disturbance of any kind. - no storage of construction materials, equipment, soil, construction waste or debris. - no disposal of any liquids e.g. concrete sleuth, gas, oil, paint. - no movement of vehicles, equipment or pedestrians. - no parking of vehicles or machinery. - no location of any utilities such as hydro, gas, phone, cable. 4

5 - no temporary attachment or support of signs, lights, cables etc. - directional micro-tunneling and boring may be permitted within the limits of a TPZ subject to approval by Urban Forestry. Placement of the following items will be outside of the Tree Protection Fence: parking for construction workers, garbage bins, construction equipment, building supplies, lunch area, washroom facilities. The area inside of the Tree Protection Fence will not be used for any purpose except the protection of trees and their roots. Signs shall be attached to the fence denoting the purpose of the Fence and indicating the Fence cannot be moved or removed without the consent of the City of Toronto. The sign will read as follows: Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) No grade change, storage of materials or equipment is permitted within this TPZ. The Tree Protection Fence must not be removed without the written authorization of the City of Toronto, Urban Forestry. For information, call City of Toronto at 311 or The Urban Forestry Services will be contacted once the Fences have been erected so the Fences can be inspected. The Fences are to be inspected daily, first thing in the morning, by the Site Supervisor. Any failure or breach of the Tree Protection Fence will be fixed immediately upon discovery. Construction Phase Tree Protection No pruning of the crowns of any tree is permitted by construction staff. If branches are found to be in the way of construction activities or traffic, pruning of trees should be arranged by the Site Supervisor with competent Arborists. Utilities will be placed outside of the Minimum Protection Distance of any tree on the site, to avoid root injury to the trees. Post Construction Tree Maintenance When all construction has ceased and grading outside the Tree Protection Fences is complete, Urban Forestry Services will be contacted to arrange a site visit. Completeness of the project will be determined. Once permission from Urban Forestry Services is granted, the Tree Protection Fences may be removed. 5

6 I trust that this report provides the information you require. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me. Yours truly, Tara Kuhn I.S.A. Certified Arborist ON-1750A Attachments: Tree Photographs (3 pages) Tree Inventory Arborist Report for Development Applications Application to a Healthy City-Owned Tree Tree Preservation Plan 6

7 TREE PHOTOGRAPHS 200 Dundas St. E. Tree 1 - Little-leaf Linden to be removed Tree 2 - Bradford Pear to be removed Tree 2 (right) and 3 (left) Bradford Pears to be removed 7

8 Tree 5 (left) and 4 (right) to be removed Base of Tree 5 (left) and Tree 6 (right) Tree 6 (left) and Tree 7 (right) to be protected 8

9 Tree 8 - to be removed Tree 9 to be removed 9

10 TREE INVENTORY Inventory date: April 25, 2014 Tree No. 1 Tree Species Littleleaf Linden Bradford Pear Tree Category Diameter (cm) Condition Comments Fair - Good 19 at 1.3 m Fair X 3 Bradford Pear 20 Fair X 4 Bradford Pear 16 Fair X 5 Littleleaf Linden 19 Poor X 6 Bradford Pear 13 7 Honey Locust 7.5 Poor - Fair Poor - Fair 8 Silver Maple 8.5 Good X 9 Bradford Pear 12 Poor X X X X Large wound on the north side at 30 cm, multiple stems with included bark at 2 meters, good growth rate, 23.5 cm at 20 cm from grade Multiple stems at 1.4 m, with included bark. Growth rate is slow, girdling root at south, adventitious roots at east. Very compacted soil, broken stub at west 1.4 m 2 stems at 1.6 m with included bark, stubs from poor pruning cuts west and north at 1.5 m. Slow growth rate - 2 cm. 22cm at 20 cm from grade Girdling root at east and northwest, stem with a 15% lean to the south, very slow growth rate Probable girdling root at southeast due to flattened trunk, wound at south at 2 m. Slow growth rate cm. 2 stems at 1.3 m with included bark, growth rate very slow. Exposed soil 1.2 m x 1.2 m. Broken branches along roadway (to west) Slow growth rate (3-4 cm), small deadwood, broken branches at roadway Broken branch at roadway, growth rate good cm, compaced soil, small wound to north at 30 cm. Very slow growth rate (less than 2 cm), wound to east at 20 cm to 1 meter, multiple stems with included bark at 1.7 m. Future on site Protect Protect 10

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13 TREE PROTECTION PLAN 200 Dundas Street East LEGEND Trees to be protected Trees to be removed Minimum protection distances Tree Protection Fencing 13