Item - 2026.TE34.95

The Toronto and East York Community Council:

1. Approved the request for a permit to remove one privately-owned tree located at 40 Myrtle Avenue as part of an interim approach to addressing female ginkgo trees in the City of Toronto, and required the applicant to plant a new replacement tree at 40 Myrtle Avenue to the satisfaction of the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry.

This report requests that the Toronto and East York Community Council deny the request for a permit to remove one privately owned tree located at 40 Myrtle Avenue. The applicant indicates the reason for requesting removal of the tree is due to the foul odour and nuisance of the fruit and the poor condition and constrained location of the tree resulting in a potential safety hazard.

The ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba) measures 60 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 appeals the City's decision to deny a tree permit.

Environment, Climate and Forestry received an application to remove one privately-owned female ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba) at 40 Myrtle Avenue due to concerns that the tree drops fruit with a foul odour. The City's Tree By-laws do not support the removal of this tree as it is healthy and maintainable. An appeal was submitted to Toronto and East York Community Council on April 30, 2026 and has been deferred to the July 8 and 9, 2026 meeting.

On May 20 and 21, 2026, City Council directed 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 to report back in 2027.

Following recent City Council direction, this supplementary report proposes an interim approach for the management of female ginkgo trees and requests that Toronto and East York Community Council approve a permit to remove one privately-owned female ginkgo tree located at 40 Myrtle Avenue on condition that a tree of alternate species be planted as a replacement.

City staff will report back to Council in early 2027 with recommendations on an approach to the impacts of female ginkgo trees with a focus on community health and safety, as part of the ongoing Tree By-Law Review.