[CANUFNET] tree protection

Tue Jan 17 10:16:28 EST 2017

Hi all,

Very interesting discussion on a complex matter. I'd also like to add a frustrating issue that I've come across: if we take Jennifer Gagné's example of fines exceeding $10,000, it may at first sound like a hefty amount, but I imagine that for multimillion dollar companies, it's not much of a deterrent for the developers. I work at a very wealthy municipality, and so even when it's regular residents who accidentally (or "accidentally") illegally injure or remove a tree, any monetary penalty is pocket change for many of them.

I also agree with Meagan - since construction and development is handled by our engineer/urban planner colleagues, it's important to collaborate and communicate with them to ensure that trees are included in any plans, and to from the start visit the construction sites and speak to the developers.

Best,
Robert

Robert Liveanu, MFC, B.Sc.
Foresterie urbaine / Urban Forestry
Service des travaux publics / Public Works department
514-989-5291
rliveanu at westmount.org<mailto:rliveanu at westmount.org>
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From: CANUFNET [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] On Behalf Of Meagan Hanna via CANUFNET
Sent: Monday, January 16, 2017 7:38 PM
To: Jennifer Gagné; Canadian Urban Forest Network
Subject: Re: [CANUFNET] tree protection

Hi Michelle,

This might not be overly helpful seeing as all of the bylaws I've dealt with are in French. Nevertheless, here are some examples :

- Tree Protection By-Law reg.1915, borough of Saint-Léonard Montreal Quebec (translation is totally doable by copying and pasting into Google Translate).

Saint-Léonard's by-law dates back to 1991 which was ahead of the curve for our area. Most municipalities either still do not have tree protection by-laws or they are not effectively enforced. The problem isn't usually having the by-law, it's enforcing it. I recall enforcing the by-law highly problematic, especially when the development plans were already approved before the Parks Division was consulted and asked to give tree protection specs. The minute you get a say during the project design phase is the minute you'll most likely start seeing more feasible projects and more tree actually being protected. Collaboration with other departments and getting the urbanists on board with tree protection is key!

- Excerpts from City of Westmount Zoning By-Law 1303 (has likely been updated), article 15.11.5, Very vague, but it's a start.

Best of luck and please so share the result with us!

All the best,

Meg

Meagan Hanna, MA.
meagan.hanna at mail.mcgill.ca<mailto:meagan.hanna at mail.mcgill.ca>
________________________________
From: CANUFNET <canufnet-bounces at list.web.net> on behalf of Jennifer Gagné via CANUFNET <canufnet at list.web.net>
Sent: January 16, 2017 3:58:13 PM
To: Chartier, Michelle (CY - Parks); Canadian Urban Forest Network
Subject: Re: [CANUFNET] tree protection

Hi Michelle,

A lot of municipalities require permits to remove AND injure trees. For example, in Toronto when a homeowner, developer, etc would like to work within the tree protection zone of a protected tree, they must submit a permit to injure that tree accompanied by an arborist report prepared by a certified arborist that can demonstrate that the excavation, regrading, storage of materials etc. will not affect the stability or long-term health of the tree. If that can't be demonstrated, then the plans are to be revised or the tree will require removal and the developer will have to pay the value of the tree, which is over $10,000 in many cases.

Jennifer

--

Jennifer Gagné, MFC, ISA Certified Arborist

Consulting Arborist

Bruce Tree Expert Company Ltd.

3-1750 The Queensway, Suite 1329

Toronto ON M9C 5H5

P: 416.252.8769

C: 647.966.0353

F: 416.252.4574

www.brucetree.com<http://www.brucetree.com>

On Mon, Jan 16, 2017 at 2:47 PM, Chartier, Michelle (CY - Parks) via CANUFNET <canufnet at list.web.net<mailto:canufnet at list.web.net>> wrote:
Hi all,

I'm trying to track down samples of city policies or bylaws related to tree protection that effectively balance the protection of established trees and new in-fill building. Saskatoon is currently seeing several large building projects and homes being built in established neighbourhoods where the work site is surrounded by large valuable City trees. We currently have a City Council policy in place that provide Urban Forestry with direction related to tree protection. As part of this policy we do not remove large (>15cm" diameter) healthy trees for development. However we are finding ourselves in a difficult position of attempting to work with construction companies hired to build what does not reasonably allow for preservation or protection of the existing tree(s). In some cases the building footprint requires excavation that will result in ~40%-50% root removal. Often the damage is done on the private property side when our City trees are close to property lines or in some cases straddle property lines (funny how tree roots just don't respect property lines).

I know there are several cities that have tree protection bylaws and some also protect private trees. I'm wondering if anyone knows of a really good example that might include standards that include what can and can't be done on private property adjacent to City trees. I'd also like to know if anyone can share their experience or views (what has worked and what hasn't worked) with existing Bylaw or policies.

Thanks,

Michelle Chartier
City of Saskatoon
Community Services, Parks Division
Superintendent - Urban Forestry/Pest Management
Ph: 306.975-2537<tel:(306)%20975-2537>  Fax: 306.975.3034<tel:(306)%20975-3034>
michelle.chartier at saskatoon.ca<mailto:michelle.chartier at saskatoon.ca>

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