Item - 2014.ED32.10

The Economic Development Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council authorize the General Manager of Economic Development and Culture to continue to work with private and public sector partners to maximize the retention of the heritage and cultural value of the Maple Leaf Forever tree through appropriate uses of its wood.

2.         City Council direct the General Manager of Economic Development and Culture to report back with a final list of all projects which utilized the wood from the Maple Leaf Forever Tree and to provide the amount of funds raised to support urban forestry initiatives in Toronto.

The silver maple tree at 62 Laing Street, believed to be the inspiration for Alexander Muir's Maple Leaf Forever song written in 1867, was felled by a storm on July 19, 2013.

At the October 8, 2013 meeting of City Council, Economic Development and Culture (EDC) was directed to proceed with the utilization plans approved by Council and to report back on the allocation and use of the salvaged wood from this tree.

This report outlines the plans for the utilization of the wood from the Maple Leaf Forever (MLF) tree including plans for the exhibition and display of the products produced.