Item - 2026.MM41.31
Tracking Status
- This item will be considered by City Council on May 20 and 21, 2026.
MM41.31 - Addressing Toronto’s Female Ginkgo Trees - by Councillor Josh Matlow, seconded by Councillor Mike Colle
- Consideration Type:
- ACTION
- Wards:
- All
* This Motion has been deemed urgent by the Chair.
* This Motion is not subject to a vote to waive referral. This Motion has been added to the agenda and is before Council for debate.
Recommendations
Councillor Josh Matlow, seconded by Councillor Mike Colle, recommends that:
1. City Council direct the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry to provide recommendations on the impacts of City-owned female ginkgo trees with a focus on community health and safety, as part of the ongoing Tree By-Law Review and report back in 2027.
Summary
Concerns from residents about the health and nuisance impacts of City-owned female ginkgo trees have increased in recent years. The noxious smell produced by the fruit creates undue hardship for nearby residents and surrounding communities. In addition, the hazardous residue left by the rotting fruit prevents residents from conducting proper maintenance and increases potential safety hazards.
The City of Toronto does not intentionally plant female ginkgo trees but has no policy to address erroneously planting female ginkgo trees which begin producing fruit later in life. This motion requests that the City’s female ginkgo tree population be explicitly addressed in Environment, Climate and Forestry’s Tree By-Law Review.
Reason for Urgency:
Ongoing nuisance impacts of female ginkgo trees across the City.