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<p>In very general terms what is being discussed is 'what is a
person supposed to do once they have been notified of an issue?' <br>
</p>
<p>In legal parlance this would be the concept of "knew or ought to
have known." Providing a person notification is 'actual notice'
as opposed to 'constructive notice.' How any one person responds
after receiving actual notice is variable and up to that person. <br>
</p>
<p>Outside of Quebec, common law in Canada provides local and
provincial governments with an opportunity to use a policy or Anns
defence so it is incorrect to assume that they must always do
something. They do what they can within the scope of the
applicable policy or bylaws. <br>
</p>
<p>It is all described in detail in the book Trees and the Law in
Canada. <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.treelaw.info">www.treelaw.info</a></p>
<p> <br>
</p>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">Yours sincerely,
On Behalf of Dunster and Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd.
Dr. Julian A Dunster R.P.F., R.P.P.., M.C.I.P., ISA Certified Arborist,
ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist # 378,
ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified
Honourary Life Member ISA + PNWISA
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.dunster.ca">www.dunster.ca</a> <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.treelaw.info">www.treelaw.info</a> North American distributor for Rinntech <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.rinntech.info">www.rinntech.info</a>
</pre>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On Wed/10/19/2022 1:39 PM, Jack Radecki
via CANUFNET wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid:06fa01d8e3fa$e5877aa0$b0966fe0$@sympatico.ca">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">Thanks
for the very useful inputs Robert. I would send the picture
of the tree if I could but cannot because of potential
litigation. I can definitely say that a competent tree
inspector would require immediate action for this tree. I
would like comments on this in terms of extreme risk. (the
responsibility to act if it’s aware of a potential dangerous
situation) I could provide you with more details off list.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">Best
Jack<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1
1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"
lang="EN-US">From:</span></b><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"
lang="EN-US"> CANUFNET
<a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:canufnet-bounces@list.web.net"><canufnet-bounces@list.web.net></a> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Liveanu,
Robert via CANUFNET<br>
<b>Sent:</b> October 19, 2022 11:51 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Canadian Urban Forest Network
<a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:canufnet@list.web.net"><canufnet@list.web.net></a><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Liveanu, Robert <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:r.liveanu@laval.ca"><r.liveanu@laval.ca></a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [CANUFNET] Municipal Tree Risk
Assessment Policies<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">Hi
Jack,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">I
can give an overview of how the Forestry department handles
these cases at the City of Laval. If we notice a dead or
hazardous privately-owned tree, if the situation is judged
to not require immediate action, the first step is to mail
to the owners what we call an “avis de courtoisie”,
essentially a friendly warning urging them to remove the
tree (or in more rare cases, simply to prune the hazardous
limbs). There’s a bit of inconsistency amongst the different
technicians in our office, but we generally only send this
letter if there’s public land (road, sidewalk, etc.) as a
target. This letter hasn’t much legal weight, rather just a
friendly warning advising the owners of the hazard and
encouraging them to act accordingly. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">If
the situation isn’t remedied within a certain timeframe (up
to the tech’s discretion, generally 3-6 months), a second
letter is sent that’s more of an ultimatum: act now before a
set deadline, otherwise the City will carry out the work and
bill the cost to the owner.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">A
couple of notes: like Peter said, it’s pretty rare that a
situation escalates up to that point. As well, I’ve heard
grumblings that the City’s Legal department is reviewing our
procedures, as they might be of the opinion that the City <i>does</i>
have more responsibility to act if it’s aware of a
potentially dangerous situation, rather than urging and
waiting for the property owner to do it. Finally, and again
there is some internal debate over our methods, but we do
generally send out at least the first letter (the avis de
courtoisie) even when the tree isn’t exactly “””dangerous”””
per se; because owners are legally obligated to replant a
new tree after removal, we want owners to be aware of the
by-laws of needing to remove a dead tree and replant a new
one, in the optics of maintaining a canopy. So whether it’s
a dead 15-cm lilac or a 100-cm poplar, property owners
receive essentially the same letter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">Hope
this helps, I can provide more details on bylaws, specific
cases, logistics, etc. if you wish.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">Best,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"
lang="FR-CA">___<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span
style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"
lang="FR-CA">Robert Liveanu, </span></b><span
style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"
lang="FR-CA">MFC, B.Sc.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"
lang="FR-CA">Arboriculteur certifié de l’ISA<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"
lang="FR-CA">Technicien à la foresterie<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"
lang="FR-CA">Division Foresterie & Horticulture<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"
lang="FR-CA">Service des travaux publics<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"
lang="FR-CA">Tél. 450-978-6888 poste 4775<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a
href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.laval.ca%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cmy.tremblay%40laval.ca%7Cec3b888e0037403d339708d8cf70014d%7C15ebd2ebb8cf40dd8e2bb2e67abb40ef%7C0%7C0%7C637487427315023800%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=YGbFwWfkPV1mwBIXvoyFz0MKfMe2vw0sbrYL09bU5n0%3D&reserved=0"
moz-do-not-send="true"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"
lang="FR-CA">www.laval.ca</span></a><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"
lang="FR-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"
lang="FR-CA"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:blue"><img
style="width:1.0in;height:.3645in" id="Image_x0020_4"
src="cid:part1.i0t9f00B.qfFbx7Xn@gmail.com"
alt="logo_laval_couleur" class="" width="96" height="35"
border="0"></span><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"
lang="FR-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1
1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"
lang="FR">De :</span></b><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"
lang="FR"> CANUFNET [<a
href="mailto:canufnet-bounces@list.web.net"
moz-do-not-send="true">mailto:canufnet-bounces@list.web.net</a>]
<b>De la part de</b> Peter Shields via CANUFNET<br>
<b>Envoyé :</b> 19 octobre 2022 10:59<br>
<b>À :</b> Canadian Urban Forest Network <<a
href="mailto:canufnet@list.web.net"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">canufnet@list.web.net</a>><br>
<b>Cc :</b> Peter Shields <<a
href="mailto:peter.shields1@hotmail.com"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">peter.shields1@hotmail.com</a>><br>
<b>Objet :</b> Re: [CANUFNET] Municipal Tree Risk
Assessment Policies<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hello Jack,<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span
style="color:#212121"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span
style="color:#212121">It has been my experience these
details are in the actual bylaw. Some have a line stating
they can enter adjacent lands to mitigate where a tree may
negatively impact infrastructure. Some have the ability
to issue an order to a tree owner for the same. And if
they do not, they can sometimes put the costs on their tax
bill. Generally, they only manage Municipal Trees, not
private trees.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span
style="color:#212121"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span
style="color:#212121">It is impossible all risks are known
to the municipality. Also, extreme risks are very rare as
they are usually dealt with immediately so I may suggest
to exercise caution in deeming a tree as such post
casualty. Tree owners have a duty of care, including their
trees and what a reasonable understanding of risks may be.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span
style="color:#212121"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span
style="color:#212121">One last thing, municipalities
generally do not assess private trees. If there is an
obvious inherent risk, sometimes they may notify if seen.
These would be for trees that are failing imminently or
deemed an actual hazard. This is critically important to
distinguish.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span
style="color:#212121"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span
style="color:#212121">It sounds like it should be provable
the municipality knew about the extreme risk and did not
do anything to mitigate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span
style="color:#212121"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span
style="color:#212121">Cheers,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span
style="color:#212121"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div id="ms-outlook-mobile-signature">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;background:white">Peter
Shields</span><span
style="font-family:"HelveticaNeue",serif;color:black"><br>
</span><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;background:white">RCA,
ISA BCMA, TRAQ</span><span
style="font-family:"HelveticaNeue",serif;color:black"><br>
</span><a
href="olm://message-contents/AQACAAAAyQAAAAAAAAAAyAkBAAAAAAAA1AAAAAAAAQJDAAAAAAABCcgAAAAAAAECQwIAAIABAAAAMnBldGVyLnNoaWVsZHMxQGhvdG1haWwuY29tX0FjdGl2ZVN5bmNNaWNyb3NvZnRfSHhT/www.shieldstree.com"
moz-do-not-send="true"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0078D4;background:white">www.shieldstree.com</span></a><span
style="font-family:"HelveticaNeue",serif;color:black"><br>
</span><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;background:white"><a
href="tel:+17055004860" moz-do-not-send="true"><span
style="color:#0078D4">(705) 500-4860</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center">
<hr width="98%" size="2" align="center"></div>
<div id="divRplyFwdMsg">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">From:</span></b><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">
CANUFNET <<a
href="mailto:canufnet-bounces@list.web.net"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">canufnet-bounces@list.web.net</a>>
on behalf of Naomi Zurcher via CANUFNET <<a
href="mailto:canufnet@list.web.net"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">canufnet@list.web.net</a>><br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, October 19, 2022 9:53:56 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Canadian Urban Forest Network <<a
href="mailto:canufnet@list.web.net"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">canufnet@list.web.net</a>><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Naomi Zurcher <<a
href="mailto:treerap@sprintmail.com"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">treerap@sprintmail.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [CANUFNET] Municipal Tree Risk
Assessment Policies</span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Does the municipality have a Right-of-Way
ordinance which would have changed the status of the private
tree to a public tree given its proximity to a publicly
accessible roadway? <o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Naomi Zürcher<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On Oct 19, 2022, at 9:02 AM, Jack
Radecki via CANUFNET <<a
href="mailto:canufnet@list.web.net"
moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">canufnet@list.web.net</a>>
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">I
posted this morning on the American Society of
Consulting Arborists Listserve the post as
shown below. I know that many municipal tree
managers subscribe to CANUFNET with hopes of
getting an opinion or even a confirmation from
within the Tree Risk Assessment Policy. Anyone
is welcome to provide their opinions here. See
below.</span><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">“I
am looking for precedents or opinions on
private trees targeting municipal rights of
way. In this case a badly decayed willow had
fallen across a roadway injuring a pedestrian.
There was no sidewalk and the tree fell across
the whole roadway. I have reviewed pictures
showing extensive decay in a large open wound
on the main stem easily visible from the
roadway. This tree would easily have been
labelled as an extreme risk for failure by a
competent tree inspector. I do note that the
shoot growth and foliage size and colour was
still good despite the structural defect. As
target is one of the 3 main components of tree
risk assessment, should the municipality
showed due diligence in inspecting this
private tree targeting the road allowance that
pedestrians frequently use? Does the
responsibility fall to the municipality to
note and take steps (action) to have the tree
removed in terms of notice to the owners? Now
that the tragedy has occured and litigation
has begun what can be expected as a result?
Remember that this is a private tree. I wonder
how many municipal tree risk assessment
policies include private trees? In 2005 I was
retained within a coroners inquest sadly for a
child death on an educational trail at a
botanical garden. As a result of the decision
from the inquest a mandate was initiated to
have all Conservation Authorities,
Municipalities and Private Institutions create
and maintain a Tree Risk Assessment Policy.”<br>
<br>
Jack Radecki RCA 342 Lindsay, Ontario, Canada</span><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
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