Item - 2024.EY18.10

The Etobicoke York Community Council:

1. Approved the request for a permit to remove one City-owned tree located at 90 Gort Avenue, conditional upon the applicant:

• providing payment of the appraised value of the tree ($867.00) to be removed;

• agreeing to have the tree removed at their expense;

• providing five replacement trees which can be achieved in a combination of onsite planting and cash in-lieu of planting to the satisfaction of the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and;

• providing a tree planting security deposit to cover the cost of planting and warranty for a period of two years for all trees to be planted on City property.

This report requests that Etobicoke York Community Council deny the request for a permit to remove one City-owned tree located at 90 Gort Avenue. The applicant indicates the reason for requesting removal of the tree is because the tree is non-native, has established itself in a poor location, and is causing a nuisance by dropping fruit which attracts hornets.

The white mulberry tree (Morus alba) measures 26 cm in diameter. The City's Tree By-laws do not support the removal of this tree as it is healthy and maintainable. The permit was denied, and the applicant is appealing the decision. Community Council has delegated authority from City Council to make a final decision as to whether a permit may be issued when an applicant wishes to appeal the denial of a permit of a tree protected under the By-laws.