[CANUFNET] hybrid poplar tree hazard

[Listar, Ivan]

We just added Paulownia (aka Empress tree, Princess tree) and buckthorn
species to our list of prohibited species on City property this spring
because of their characteristics.   There are people who want to
establish the Empress tree in southern Ontario and buckthorn is an
invasive species.  Our Boulevard Tree Protection By-law allows us to
remove prohibited species from City property without notification to the
adjacent residents.  We have other prohibited species as well.
Unfortunately we do not have a private tree by-law to keep them from
getting established on private property.  Our Property Standards by-law
is used to enforce the removal of trees, regardless of species, once
they become a hazard. 

 

Ivan Listar, R.P.F. 
Urban Forester, City of London 
A.J. Tyler Operations Centre 
663 Bathurst St. 
London, Ont.  N5Z 1P8 
Phone: 519-661-2500 ext. 4977 
mailto:ilistar at london.ca 
fax: 519-661-2352 

________________________________

From: canufnet-bounces at list.web.net
[mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] On Behalf Of Vince Rutter
Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 9:53 AM
To: Canadian Urban Forest Network
Subject: [CANUFNET] hybrid poplar tree hazard

 


A client's neighbour owns two large hybrid poplar (similar to
cottonwood) trees that overhang his property.  They are healthy
vigourous trees, both with many codominant stems and are quite large (2
metre DBH).  That's pretty big for here in Thunder Bay!  Over the past
several years there have been many occasions where branches have snapped
and fallen which is typical of the species.  The branches are anywhere
from 2 inches to 5 or 6 in diameter.  They are truly concerned about the
tree and would like to compel the owners to take action.
At best, we could clean the crown, reduce long branches and support
included branch connections by cabling but I don't feel that would
greatly reduce the risk of occasional limb breakage.  That said, have
any of you condemned a tree based on its species characteristics like
these poplars?  
This problem comes up fairly frequently here and it usually leads to
tree removal but in this case all parties involved can't come to an
agreement.  

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

-- 
Vince Rutter, RPF
ISA Certified Arborist
www.rutterurbanforestry.ca
807-627-6201

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