TREE CONSERVATION REPORT 1171 MAPLE AVENUE, MANOTICK

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1 TREE CONSERVATION REPORT 1171 MAPLE AVENUE, MANOTICK PREPARED FOR: CURTIS MELANSON, C.E.T. MCINTOSH PERRY 115 WALGREEN ROAD, R.R. 3 CARP, ON K0A 1L EXT PREPARED BY: ANDREW BOYD, B.SC.F, R.P.F. IFS ASSOCIATES P.O. BOX OTTAWA, ON K2K 1X June 21, 2018

2 INTRODUCTION The importance of protecting vegetative cover on sites subject to development is specified in Section of the City of Ottawa s Official Plan. In accordance with this the City of Ottawa s Urban Tree Conservation By-law (By-law no ) requires a detailed Tree Conservation Report (TCR) prior to the removal of trees on sites within the urban boundary of Ottawa. In this instance, since the removal of vegetation is outside the urban boundary, this TCR is of a broader scope, detailing groupings of trees and select individual trees. The subject property is located at 1171 Maple Avenue within the Village of Manotick. The only treed areas of the property are at the front where two amenity trees are planted, both Norway maples (Acer platanoides), and forest edges along the north and west property lines. The entire property covers an area of slightly more than 0.2 hectare. The development proposed for the property consists of a one-storey addition to the north side of an existing building. It will replace a temporary site trailer which now occupies the site. METHODOLOGY A survey of the site was completed on May 15, Tree growth was assessed via a reconnaissance survey in which the overstory trees and understory vegetation was assessed for species, size and general health condition. This information was then compiled so that tree composition could be broadly delineated. These areas can be found on the accompanying tree conservation plan prepared by Gino Aiello, Landscape Architect. TREE INVENTORY The most widespread overstory species within the surrounding forest edges are invasive, Norway maple and Manitoba maple (Acer negundo). Scattered trees of native white elm (Ulmus americana), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), black walnut (Juglans nigra), butternut (Juglans cinerea) and black cherry (Prunus serotina) are also present further into the forest. Norway maple are frequent due to seed spread from the two trees located at the front of the property. An introduced and highly invasive species, Norway maple outcompete native species and ultimately come to dominate any forest in which they spread. Manitoba maple thrives on disturbed sites so is a frequent urban species. Although not native to the area, it is now naturalized in Eastern Ontario. The presence of Manitoba maple along the forest edges is not surprising as it is intolerant of shade. 1

3 Understory vegetation consists of ash (Fraxinus spp.) and maple regeneration and shrub species: staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) and buckthorn (Rhamnus spp.). With the exception of buckthorn (an introduced, highly invasive species which is shade-tolerant), these species have been able to successfully regenerate primarily along either the forest edges where there is sufficient sunlight. Typical vegetative conditions within the subject property are shown in Pictures 1, 2 and 3 below and on pages 3 and 4 of this report. Picture 1. Norway maples in front of 1171 Maple Avenue, Manotick. USE OF EXISTING VEGETATION The size of the development in relation to the overall property will result in very few living trees being removed. The exception are the two front Norway maples which are in poor condition and/or damaging infrastructure. The larger of the two is 59cm in diameter as is considered hazardous. It is located on the subject property. The smaller maple is 28cm in diameter and is located on city property. The roots of this tree are heaving the surrounding interlock brick. 2

4 Picture 2. Typical conditions along northern forest edge at 1171 Maple Avenue, Manotick (corner of existing site trailer can be seen on left). 3

5 Picture 3. Typical conditions along western forest edge at 1171 Maple Avenue, Manotick. 4

6 Vegetation clearing along the forest edges will be restricted to trees growing into the subject property and interfering with site operations. For the most part these are Manitoba maples. Also recommended for removal are the numerous standing dead ash which pose a threat to the existing building and its future addition. These trees have all succumbed to emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). Since they will be left largely untouched, it is anticipated the forested edges will continue to serve as a screen around the periphery of the property. ENDANGERED SPECIES Six butternut trees were found on the adjacent private property to the north and west of the subject property. This species is listed as endangered under the Province of Ontario s Endangered Species Act (ESA), 2007) and so is protected from harm. Of the six trees, three were found to be dead and the remainder were found to be Category 1, or nonretainable. As such, no compensation is required under the ESA even though soil disturbance will occur within 50m of two living trees. A butternut health assessment has been submitted to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, PROTECTION MEASURES The following measures are recommended by the City of Ottawa to ensure survival of the trees along the forest edges: 1. Erect a fence at the critical root zone (CRZ 1 ) of trees; 2. Do not place any material or equipment within the CRZ of the tree; 3. Do not attach any signs, notices or posters to any tree; 4. Do not raise or lower the existing grade within the CRZ without approval; 5. Tunnel or bore when digging within the CRZ of a tree; 6. Do not damage the root system, trunk or branches of any tree; 7. Ensure that exhaust fumes from all equipment are NOT directed towards any tree's canopy. 1 The critical root zone (CRZ) is established as being 10 centimetres from the trunk of a tree for every centimetre of trunk Diameter at breast height (DBH). The CRZ is calculated as DBH x 10 cm. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions concerning this tree conservation report Yours, Andrew Boyd Andrew K. Boyd, B.Sc.F, R.P.F. (#1828) ISA Certified Arborist #ON-0496A and TRAQualified Butternut Health Assessor #513 5