Playter Urban Forest Management Plan

Playter Urban Forest Management Plan Prepared for: the Playter Area Residents Association (PARA) By: Emma Bowley, Antimo Graziano, Nishanth Nattoji, ...
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Playter Urban Forest Management Plan

Prepared for: the Playter Area Residents Association (PARA) By: Emma Bowley, Antimo Graziano, Nishanth Nattoji, and Suzanne Perry

Faculty of Forestry University of Toronto

December 2015

Acknowledgments: The Player Urban Forest Management Plan was backed by the Playter Area Residents’ Association (PARA) and the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Forestry. The authors would like to individually thank Sandy Smith for her supervision and guidance in preparing this management plan, as well as the members of PARA who supported this project and made the work possible: Anne Ellis, and Alyse Frampton (Co-Chairs of the PARA Urban Forest And Beautification Committee), Rolf Struthers, George Galt, Andrew Nicholson, Joan Pennings, Denis Jugloff, and Alison Forrester.

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Executive Summary: The Playter Urban Forest Management Plan will provide the community of Playter with the tools and guidance to work towards creating a larger, healthier, and sustainable urban forest, as well as educate residents and promote stewardship within the area. The plan will inform urban forest management activities spanning from 2016 to 2036; detailed annual operating plans (AOPs) are provided for the first five years, while more general recommendations are included for the remaining fifteen years. The Plan was developed based on the three frameworks proposed by Kenney et al. (2011); they include the vegetation resource, community framework, and resource management. It is recommended the Playter refer to these frameworks throughout the implementation of the Plan in order to monitor progress and inform next steps. The Playter Urban Forest Management Plan addresses five main priorities for the community; i) completing a detailed tree inventory, ii) developing educational resources for residents, iii) securing funding sources, iv) increasing tree planting, and v) adopting proper tree care practices. Creating a partnership with Jackman Avenue Jr. Public School and the possible identification of Heritage Trees in the neighbourhood were also identified as areas of importance to be considered in the future. Each of these topics are described in detail in the Plan, as well as a budget outline.

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Table of Contents 1. Introduction: ........................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Benefits of Urban Forests:................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Development of the Playter Urban Forest Management Plan: ..................................................... 2 1.3 Playter Estates History and the Existing Urban Forest: ............................................................... 3 2. Playter Urban Forest Management Plan Priorities: ............................................................................ 6 2.1 Tree Inventory: ................................................................................................................................. 6 2.2 Educational Resources for Residents: ............................................................................................. 9 2.3 Funding Sources: ............................................................................................................................ 10 2.4 Tree Planting: .................................................................................................................................. 12 2.5 Tree Care: ........................................................................................................................................ 14 3. Additional Areas of Importance: ......................................................................................................... 16 3.1 Jackman Avenue Junior Public School: ....................................................................................... 16 3.2 Heritage Trees: ................................................................................................................................ 16 4. Annual Operating Plan (AOP): ........................................................................................................... 18 5. Allocation of Funds and Budget: ......................................................................................................... 20 Works Cited: ............................................................................................................................................. 22 Appendix: .................................................................................................................................................. 24

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1. Introduction: 1.1 Benefits of Urban Forests: An urban forest includes all of the privately and publicly owned trees, forests, green space, and related resources within a city or community. Urban forests are extremely valuable as they provide numerous environmental, social, economic, and aesthetic benefits, including the provision of wildlife habitat, reduction of noise pollution, decreased erosion and surface water runoff, carbon sequestration, and air quality improvement (Tilghman, 1987; Nowak and Crane, 2002; Nowak and Dwyer, 2007). The urban canopy can also lead to improved mental and physical health for residents, increased property values, and reduced energy costs by providing shade in the summer and blocking strong winds in the winter (Kuo, 2003; Alexander and McDonald, 2014). All of these benefits increase significantly as trees increase in size and leaf area (Figure 1). The City of Toronto’s urban forest provides residents with 80 million dollars worth of goods and services each year, and is valued at a total of seven billion dollars (Alexander and McDonald, 2014). However, the health and integrity of urban forests are often under pressures from pollution, drought, pests and invasive species, reduced rooting space, and poor tree care. It is therefore

imperative

that

all

cities

and

communities recognize the importance of their urban forest network and take an active role

Figure 1: The goods and services that an urban tree provides increases exponentially as a tree grows and leaf area increases.

in managing and enhancing it. The City of Toronto (the City) published two documents in 2013 dedicated to describing how to preserve, maintain, and manage their urban forest (Sustaining & Expanding the Urban Forest: Toronto’s Strategic Forest Management Plan, and Every Tree Counts: A Portrait of Toronto’s Urban Forest) The main goals of these publications include increasing overall tree canopy cover, increasing biodiversity and tree species diversity, improving proactive tree care programs, and ongoing public outreach and stewardship promotion. These should also be a key components of the Playter area urban forest management plan in order to achieve the greatest overall outcome for the urban forest in the long term. 1

1.2 Development of the Playter Urban Forest Management Plan: The community of Playter, located in the City’s east end, is dedicated to protecting, maintaining, and enhancing their urban forest network. The urban forest management plan for Playter, developed in partnership between the Playter Area Residents’ Association (PARA) and the University of Toronto Faculty of Forestry, aims to provide a strategic framework for managing the community’s trees while operating within City regulations and keeping in mind priorities of community involvement, education, cost effectiveness, and preservation. The plan will provide management guidelines for a 20 year period. A detailed annual operating plan will be included for the first 5 years, as well as more general strategies for the following 15 years. The plan is set to be implemented beginning in the spring of 2016. The Playter Urban Forest Management Plan was developed using a framework developed by Kenney et al (2011) entitled, Criteria and Indicators for Strategic Urban Forest Planning and Management, which outlines pertinent information for plans in urban settings. The publication describes an extensive list of performance based criteria and indicators that provide valuable guidance in strategic forest management planning, as well as the tools for evaluating success of a plan and areas where more resources should be focused. The paper emphasizes three main aspects of urban forest planning: 1. The Vegetation Resource – This section includes guidance for enhancing canopy cover, age distribution of trees, species diversity, native vegetation, the condition of publically owned trees, and publically own natural areas. 2. The Community Framework – This section emphasizes the need for all members of a community to work together and share responsibilities in managing the urban forest. 3. The Resource Management Approach – This section includes criteria for managing the physical resource, as well as administrative tasks. It is recommended that Playter utilize this framework to evaluate the success of the management plan in achieving its goals overtime.

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1.3 Playter Estates History and the Existing Urban Forest: Playter Estates is a small neighbourhood located in the east end of the City of Toronto, bordered by Fulton Ave. to the north, Jackman Ave. to the east, Danforth Ave. to the South, and Broadview Ave to the west (Figure 2). While buildings on both sides of Fulton and Jackman Ave. are included in the community, only the north and east sides of Danforth and Broadview Ave. respectively, are included. The Playter community is comprised of residential homes, however there are also a number of businesses and small multi-story buildings along the neighbourhood borders of Danforth and Broadview Avenues. Other features of the neighbourhood boundaries are Jackman Avenue Jr. Public School, and Broadview TTC subway station.

Figure 2: An aerial view of Playter showing boundaries and street names, as well as the location of Jackman Avenue Jr. Public School and Broadview TTC station (Google Maps, 2015). 3

The Playter community is named

after

Captain

George

Playter and his family who settled the area in the late 1700s and established a substantial 200 acre farm west of the Don River (Danforth BIA, 2014). In the mid1870s George’s great grandson, John Lea Playter, constructed a farmhouse at 28 Playter Crescent which looked directly south onto what is now Danforth Ave. (Figure Figure 3: Above - The Playter farmhouse and surrounding farm in 1900. Below - The farmhouse as it appeared after the farm was developed and streets were built. (Images courtesy of the Toronto Public Library).

3). The red brick house with white brick accents was altered in the early

1900’s,

and

the

land

surrounding the estate continued to be farmed until around 1910 (Danforth BIA, 2014). The property began to be divided in 1912; streets and other houses were constructed, trees were planted again, and the neighbourhood began to take the shape of what it is today. Before the Playter area was cleared for agriculture, the original forest was likely a mixed forest composed of White Oak (Quercus alba), Red Oak (Quercus rubra), Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), White Pine (Pinus strobus), and American Chestnut (Castanea dentate). Today the Playter urban forest canopy consists mainly of large Norway Maple trees (Acer platanoides), most of which have been aggressively pruned to avoid overhead hydro wires, and are beginning to experience age related declines. Some other large canopy trees include Sugar Maples, Silver Maples (Acer saccharinum), Honey Locusts (Gleditsia triacanthos), Blue Spruces (Picea pungens), and Siberian Elms (Ulmus pumila). In recent years a number of these large trees have been removed, leaving significant gaps in the canopy. Only a handful of Ash trees (Fraxanus spp.) exist in Playter, thus the destructive effects of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) pest are not expected to cause excessive damages; tree crews have been slowly removing dead and dying trees. Some streets (e.g. Fulton Ave.) in the community have grassy mediums between the sidewalks and roads

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where young street trees have been planted by the City. Many streets (e.g. Jackman Ave.) also have trees planted in front of houses on the City allowance of their property; residents may not realize these trees are City owned. Overall the Playter urban forest network consists of a mixture of large, mature and aging trees, young street and front yard trees, and a number of potential planting spots; all of these features would benefit greatly from the guidance of a forest management plan.

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2. Playter Urban Forest Management Plan Priorities: The overall goal of this management plan is to provide Playter with the tools and guidance to create a larger, healthier, and sustainable urban forest, as well as educate residents and promote stewardship within the community. This goal will be achieved by focusing on the following priorities: 1. Complete a tree inventory 2. Create educational resources for residents 3. Secure funding sources 4. Increase tree planting 5. Adopt proper tree care practices 2.1 Tree Inventory: Completing a detailed tree inventory should be the top priority for the Playter community, as this has never been done in the neighbourhood. Given the high relative importance of each tree in an urban forest, there is a definite value in identifying, enumerating and evaluating all individual trees (Halferty, 2010). An inventory can provide information such as tree species, age distribution and diversity, individual trees of concern (dead, declining, at risk of insect infestation), trees worth preserving, and areas for planting; all of which is essential for making informed management decisions. The tree inventory should be updated every ten years. Neighbourwoods is an urban tree inventory system created by Andy Kenny and Danijela Puric-Mladenovic that is adapted for use by volunteer based community groups. With minimal expertise, volunteers can be trained to use the Neighbourwoods protocol; which involves identifying the species of each individual tree, as well as measuring tree height, DBH (diameter at breast height) and crown width, as well as evaluating tree health based on a set of 16 condition factors. These condition factors include tree lean, stem rot, poor branch attachment, tree defoliation, crown form, and more. Each category is given a score from 0 to 3, and is weighed according to its relative importance to tree health. A guide explaining each of the health criteria can be found in the Appendix of this report. Neighbourwoods has been used successfully in many municipalities across Ontario, as well as a number of Toronto communities such as Harbord Village, Trinity Bellwoods, and the Annex. It is highly recommended that Playter use the

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Neighbourwoods system for their inventory due to its proven success, ease of use, and low cost. More information about Neighbourwoods can be found at http://neighbourwoods.org/ In order to complete the tree inventory properly and efficiently, while engaging community volunteers and minimizing the cost, it is recommended that Playter hire a Masters of Forest Conservation (MFC) student from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Forestry. MFC students are required to complete a summer internship at the end of their first year of study and completing a community urban tree inventory would be a perfect job opportunity to utilize the skills they have acquired in the previous months. It is recommended that the MFC student be hired from MayAugust 2016 and that the position include the opportunity to learn and implement the Neighbourwoods protocol in Playter.

The student will also be responsible for tasks such as

training volunteers to use the protocol, co-ordination of volunteers, and leading outreach and education initiatives within the community (e.g. tree tours, tree planting and tree care demonstrations). A further requirement of the MFC internship is that the student complete a final project in the following semester relating to work they have done in the summer. Playter would then have the opportunity to work with the student to create a document or other project using the inventory data that would benefit the community. A sample job description for the summer student position is presented in the Appendix. If funds were available then it would be ideal to also consider hiring an undergrad student because inventory work can be completed much more efficiently with two people. If this is not a feasible option then there needs to be a steady volunteer base as the tasks required of this job require a minimum of two people. Playter may also have to fund the MFC student to attend a Neighbourwoods training session (typically 2 full days at a cost of about $60), however if the student can then teach what they have learned to all Playter volunteers, the community saves money overall. It is recommended that the MFC student receive a living expenses stipend of at least $1500 per month. Dr. Sally Krigstin is in charge of placing MFC students in their internships and is always looking for new positions. Her contact information is as follows: email: [email protected] phone: 416-946-8507. Neighbourwoods inventories include both privately and publically owned trees and one of the biggest challenges in completing the protocol is accessing privately owned backyard trees. Volunteers must ask permission of the homeowner to access these trees which can be difficult and time consuming, however if it is not pursued then the inventory cannot be competed in full. In a 7

small community such as Playter this can be avoided if residents are notified about the inventory before it begins, using communication tools such as emails, door to door canvassing, or leaving printed door hangers with information. The community of Playter can also elect to map their tree inventory in the future using interactive software such as Google Earth, iTree, or City Trees when it becomes available (http://citytrees.ca/). Mapping could also potentially be within the scope of the MFC student’s final report. Mapping an inventory allows all the data to be viewed easily in order to make management decisions (Figure 4). Mapping software can also be used to sort data and display different layers and search inquiries, as well as calculate things like overall canopy cover and carbon sequestration.

Figure 4: An image of an interactive map of the Toronto Annex community Neighbourwoods inventory. Each circle represents a tree, and the colour indicates its health condition. Each tree can be clicked on to reveal more information. Trees can be sorted by species, health condition, age, size, etc.

Once the inventory has been completed, Playter will know the exact number of living trees, tree species diversity, and what level of canopy cover exists in the community. Based on this information Playter should develop quantitative goals for improving their urban forest in the future, and these goals can then be integrated into their Annual Operating Plan.

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2.2 Educational Resources for Residents: Another important priority of the Playter Urban Forest Management Plan is to create and disseminate educational resources for residents. All members of the Playter community should be aware of the benefits of urban forests, the need for a tree inventory and urban forest management plan, and how to plant and care for trees in the city. All resources should be clearly available and accessible on the PARA website and residents should be made aware of their existence. It is recommended that PARA provide resources in the form of links to publically accessible and reputable online resources, or that PARA repurpose or create or their own pamphlets when adequate online publications are not available. Educational materials should cover or include the following topics: 

Why should residents plant trees? What are the benefits?



What tree species are most suitable for property owners to plant based on location and site conditions?



How can a property owner receive a free tree from the City of Toronto and which of the City listed species should they chose?



What options do residents have for planting trees on privately owned land or backyards?



How and why to plant locally sources native tree species?



What steps must a property owner take legally to protect a tree when they begin construction? What are Tree Protection Zones (TPZs)?



How should residents care for trees of all ages and species?



How and when should trees be pruned?



Tips for contracting an ISA Certified Arborist? The majority of online resources to provide education on these topics are included in the

proceeding sections of this paper. In the future Playter may also want to educate residents on tree identification by labelling street trees with their species and some identification characteristics or facts. This can be done using simple labels or they can include QR codes that can be scanned with a smart phone to reveal a webpage with additional information about the tree such as a picture, GPS location, and more.

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2.3 Funding Sources: Acquiring funding is essential for implementing the Playter Urban Forest Management Plan. This can be achieved through fundraising, securing donations, applying for grants, and through partnerships with other organizations with similar goals to PARA. Below are several grants that exist for community-based initiatives that Playter should consider applying for. Table 1 in the Appendix summarizes funding grant deadlines, contact information, and websites. 1. Live Green Toronto: The city of Toronto provides grants up to $30,000 to community projects that meet one or all of the following objectives: 1. Reduce greenhouse gases 2. Improve air and water quality 3. Help adapt to the negative effects of climate change 2. The Green Grants program by Walmart and Evergreen: Together, Walmart and Evergreen provide amounts of $3,500, $5,000 or $10,000 to community groups who complete greening projects on publicly accessible land. Examples of projects include native planting initiatives, invasive species removal, and community skills sharing workshop. 3. EcoAction Community Funding Program: Environment Canada provides funding to community projects that reduce biodiversity loss and protect and improve habitat. 4. TD Green Streets: TD provides grants of up to $25,000 to Business Improvement Associations in Toronto. They support several types of projects including, but not limited to: 1. Innovative forest planning 2. Single tree and forest stand innovation projects 5. North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA) Community Grants: NAPECA is a Montreal based organization that provides funds for local environmental challenges across North America t related to topics such as species and habitat conservation, environmental education, and efficient water management. 10

6. WWF-Canada Go Wild Community Grants Go Wild Community Grants will award funds from $1,000 to $10,000 to support creative ideas from Canadians on how to protect, restore, monitor, educate and celebrate nature within communities. The Playter Area Residents Association could also benefit from partnerships with some of other environmental and community organizations in the city to reduce costs and share ideas. Potential partners include:            

Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF) Forests Ontario Toronto Green Community The David Suzuki Foundation Ontario Nature Toronto Environmental Alliance Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation More Trees29 Danforth East Community Association (DECA) Urban Forest Stewardship Network Ontario Urban Forest Council Danforth BIA PARA expressed an interest in improving the aesthetic quality of the space outside of the

Broadview subway station. A potential partnership with LEAF might help to achieve this goal. LEAF has set up what they call “Urban Forest Demonstration Gardens” at five TTC stations across the city to promote community stewardship, plant native species, and improve aesthetics.

Figure 5: Figure 4: Examples of LEAF community greening projects. Left: a boulevard street tree surrounded by a native plant garden on Roncesvalles Ave. Right: a LEAF Urban Forest Demonstration Garden at Old Mill subway station.

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2.4 Tree Planting: The implementation of a comprehensive tree inventory will help to identify potential locations where new trees can be planted to enhance the overall forest canopy. As indicated in the Vegetation Resource section of the Kenney et al. (2011) paper, the following criteria must be taken into account when planting trees: species suitability, native vegetation, species diversity, and age distribution. Having a knowledge of the climatic conditions and microsite characteristics (i.e. soil type and drainage class, soil depth, light availability, presence of competing plants and structures, etc.) of a planting spot is essential in order to select a suitable tree species that will thrive and grow to maturity. It is also important to know where a tree seed came from or where a tree sapling was grown before it is planted. Locally sourced seeds and young trees will be better adapted to the Playter climate and are more likely to grow successfully. The following resources (links) from the municipalities of North Grenville and Peterborough respectively are designed to help property owners chose the most suitable tree for them based on tree size and site conditions. 1. www.northgrenville.ca/files/Choosing_the_Right_Tree.pdf 2. www.greenup.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/.../Chosing-the-Right-Tree.pdf It is well documented in scientific literature that native tree species provide greater ecosystem benefits than non-natives in an urban environment. Therefore, Playter should prioritize planting native trees when possible; as many as 73 different native tree species have been planted successfully in Toronto (Toronto Strategic Forests Management Plan, 2013). The planting of nonnative species should still be considered in areas with sub-optimal growing conditions where native species will not survive. Since Playter is not in close proximity to any large parks or natural areas, the risk of non-native trees colonizing natural environments and becoming competitive invasives is small. The following links provide information on how to choose and plant native tree species. 3. http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=55e560d066169410VgnVCM1000 0071d60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=9aad60d066169410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD 4. http://www.yourleaf.org/species Promoting a diversity of tree species is also extremely important for the community of Playter, as this will decrease the risk of losing significant canopy cover in the event of a threat that targets specific species, such as diseases, pests, or even climate change (Kenney, 2000). Distribution of tree age-class is also essential to sustaining a robust urban forest; this ensures a 12

stable canopy cover is maintained as trees decline and die. Currently Player does not have sufficient variation in tree age-class, because a significant portion of the canopy is made up of large city owned non-native Norway Maples. They are beginning to decline and there has not been a significant amount of under planting of young trees to replace them. Planting new trees in these areas should therefore be a priority for Playter and maintaining an evenly distributed age-class should be a goal for the future. The City of Toronto plants trees on city-owned land in front of residential, industrial and commercial properties for free through their Get a Free Tree Program. Property owners can select the species they prefer from a set list published by the City, and put in a request to 311 to have their tree planted at an appropriate seasonal time. It is however important to note that not all species on the City list are available at all times. Please refer to Figures 4 and 5 in the Appendix for the Get a Free Tree Program brochure and tree species list. If residents are interesting in planting a tree on privately owned land (such as backyards) they can purchase a tree from a nursery or contact LEAF, a local non-profit group dedicated to improving Toronto's urban forest. LEAF offers subsidized services, including on-site advice about appropriate species and planting location, tree care tips, provision of a native tree 1.2 to 1.8m tall, and help with planting. A list of tree species planted by LEAF can be found at http://www.yourleaf.org/species. If residents are purchasing and planting their own tree from a nursery they should be diligent in inquiring about the exact species of the tree and its origin, as well as planting and tree care tips. Species suitability, the use of native vegetation, and species and age-class diversity must all be considered as Playter plants trees to replace their aging canopy and fill gaps as identified by an inventory. It is essential that proper educational resources are provided for residents in order to achieve these goals.

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2.5 Tree Care: The upkeep of trees in a safe and healthy condition is a primary concern for the residents of the Playter community. Trees of all ages and species should be cared for properly in order to maximize the tree’s lifespan, reduce safety risks, and ultimately increase the amount of ecological benefits a tree can provide. Historically, tree care has been done primarily on a reactive basis, where interventions have occurred only when trees required attention. Severe weather conditions have caused a number of structural failures, resulting in an increase in service delays and secondary impacts like road closures and transit disruptions (Nesbitt et al., 2015). A proactive approach to tree maintenance would be much more efficient in order to mitigate risks and improve the longterm health of the trees in the neighbourhood. On private property, assessments should be performed regularly to examine trees for potential health problems and structural defects. Being aware of some of the common diseases and conditions that affect city trees is key to early detection and treatment. This following links can help residents to examine their trees and request professional assistance if needed: 1. http://www.yourleaf.org/common_diseases_and_treatments 2. http://www.yourleaf.org/emerald-ash-borer It is important to perform structural pruning on all trees as needed in order to maintain proper form, remove hazardous branches, and open up the canopy (City of Toronto, 2015). For potentially dangerous pruning jobs such as large branch removal, a certified arborist should be contacted. Homeowners who have the appropriate knowledge and tools can do basic pruning on their own properties. It is important to know how much of the tree to prune and the best time of year to prune, which are both dependent on the tree species. Optimal pruning occurs in the dormant season for many deciduous species, before growth in the spring (Kerr and Harmer, 2001). However, maple and birch species should be pruned in mid-summer to prevent unnecessary sap loss. Conifers should be pruned in late spring when new growth is starting (City of Toronto, 2015). Many resources exist for homeowner tree care and pruning tips, as well as how to find an ISA Certified Arborist: 3. http://www.yourleaf.org/tree-pruning-overview 4. http://www.dreamworkstrees.com/tree-education/articles/useful-tips-for-do-it-yourself-treetrimming

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5. http://www.yourleaf.org/sites/yourleaf.org/files/tips_for_selecting_a_qualified_tree_care_com pany.pdf Trees can be physically damaged by construction, landscaping, lawnmowers, and vandalism, preventing damage is important for maintaining a healthy urban forest. Additionally, trees can experience a declines in health due to nutrient deficiencies, exposure to road salts, root damage, or an excess or shortage of water. These problems can be remedied by techniques such as mulching, staking, fertilizer, and watering, as well as ensuring no excavation or digging is done in root zones. LEAF and the City provide several great resources on tree care for homeowners, there is also material about signs and symptoms of tree damage, complete with preventative tools. 6. http://www.yourleaf.org/dos_and_donts_of_tree_care 7. http://www.yourleaf.org/signs_and_symptoms_of_tree_damage_prevention_and_controls 8. http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=59ac6c8d1f7cb410VgnVCM1000 0071d60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=9aad60d066169410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD The City of Toronto has a responsibility to take a leadership role in evaluating and managing hazard trees on streets and in parks. In doing so they prevent or eliminate dangerous situations and create a safer environment, reducing liability to the adjacent property owners. The City currently operates on a proactive 7-year pruning schedule that includes all City owned trees in Toronto. However, this schedule is often delayed due to major weather events such as the ice storm of 2013. If residents notice any potential hazards, the city should be contacted immediately (City of Toronto, 2014). As each tree has a fundamental role in the urban forest, a Tree Protection Plan must be developed when construction takes place. If any tree will potentially be injured or destroyed during a construction project an official application to the City of Toronto is required before proceeding. Roots represent a very important structural part for trees and they must be protected against damages generated by construction activities. For this reason, the Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) must be respected when a construction project adjacent to trees is conducted, as outlined in Toronto Municipal Code (City of Toronto, 2008). More information about the TPZ can be found at: 8. http://www.1toronto.ca/city_of_toronto/parks_forestry_recreation/urban_forestry/files/pdf/ TreeProtSpecs.pdf

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3. Additional Areas of Importance: 3.1 Jackman Avenue Junior Public School: In the future, setting up a small arboretum at Jackman School could be educational for students and Playter residents alike. Labeling trees with both their common and scientific name could help show those who are interested how to identify different tree species, as well as what the trees look like when their growth is relatively uninhibited by other plants or structures. If space permits, new tree species should be planted that are tolerant of an urban environment. These might include species such as Little Leaf Linden (Tilia cordata), Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa), or Norway Spruce (Picea abies). It would be beneficial to include a mix of coniferous and deciduous trees to teach students the differences between the two types. Planting a masting tree, such as an oak would be valuable to help students learn about trees that provide food (such as acorns) and habitat for wildlife. Having an arboretum would provide opportunities to students and community members to understand more about tree ecology and to learn basic tree identification skills based on features such leaf shape or bark. 3.2 Heritage Trees: The most widely accepted definition of a Heritage Tree comes from the work of Paul Aird of the University of Toronto, Faculty of Forestry in 2005. He defined a Heritage Tree as having one or more of the following characteristics: 

Tree has a notable size, form, shape, beauty, age, colour, rarity, or genetic make-up



Tree is a living historical artifact that shows evidence of cultural modification by Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal people



Tree is a prominent community landmark.



Tree is connected to a specific historic person, place, event or period.



Tree is a sample of a crop grown by historic communities that is at risk of disappearing from cultivation



Tree is associated with local folklore, myths, legends, or traditions A tree in Ontario can attain heritage status through designation under Part IV or V of the

Ontario Heritage Act (OHA) or through recognition by the Heritage Tree Program of Trees Ontario. A tree that meets either of these criteria may be listed for protection by the Toronto City Council and is then governed under the applicable by-laws. Chapter 813 indicates that a permit to 16

injure or destroy shall not be issued for a heritage tree, or a tree that should be recommended for designation as a heritage tree (in the opinion of the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation). Chapter 658 designates that a permit to injure or destroy a heritage tree can only be authorized by City Council (Toronto Parks, Forestry, and Recreation, 2013). However, the City's tree by-laws also indicate that the General Manager is authorized to issue a permit for injury or destruction of heritage trees if required by a decision of Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) (Toronto Parks, Forestry, and Recreation, 2013). Overall the process of protecting a heritage tree can be lengthy and complicated. Fortunately the Ontario Urban Forest Council (OUFC) has created a Heritage Tree Protection Toolkit that individuals or groups can utilize to identify and nominate trees for the Trees Ontario Heritage Tree Program. Once the tree inventory for Playter is completed, a list of potential candidate heritage trees can be created. At that time Playter can decide if they wish to pursue heritage status for any of the trees, and may want to consider investing in the Toolkit.

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4. Annual Operating Plan (AOP): The following Annual Operating Plan (AOP) outlines recommended initiatives for Playter to complete each year in order to reach their goals of engaging the community and creating a larger, healthier, and sustainable urban forest over a 20 year period. The first five years of the AOP are described in detail, while the next 15 years are more general. It is recommend that Playter record what is accomplished each year in the “Completed to date” column in order to track progress. Year: 1 (2016)

Initiatives to complete:     

2 (2017)

    

3 (2018)

      

4 (2019)

 

Start applying for grants Hire a summer student to conduct a tree inventory and work with volunteers Recruit volunteers to help with inventory and community outreach Complete inventory Develop educational materials

Completed to date: Established a group of PARA representatives dedicated to implementing the Forest Management Plan.

Establish potential plantable spots and potential heritage trees based on inventory data Collaborate with other environmental organizations to plant trees in the summer months Continue to apply for grants Begin fundraising initiatives Contact LEAF about establishing an urban forest demonstration garden at Broadview TTC station Recruit volunteers to assist in planting and maintaining Broadview TTC station garden Work with LEAF to plant garden Continue applying for grants Continue fundraising initiatives Continue to plant trees in summer months Start to conduct community outreach workshops (such as proper tree planting, EAB, mulching, etc) Contact Jackman Ave. Jr. Public School regarding establishing a small arboretum Continue applying for grants (including funds for Jackman school arboretum) Continue fundraising initiatives 18

 

   5 (2020)

     

6-10 (20212025)

    

11-15 (20262030)

   

16-20 (20312035)

   

Maintain Broadview TTC station garden Start to conduct community outreach workshops (such as pruning, root protection, common tree pests, etc) Conduct community tree tours Label street trees using data from tree inventory Work with Jackman School to plan arboretum Continue applying for grants Continue fundraising initiatives Maintain Broadview TTC station garden Plant trees at Jackman School to establish arboretum Continue running community tree tours Start to conduct community outreach workshops (such as tree assessments, signs of nutrient deficiencies, common tree diseases, etc) Establish spatial mapping database to show tree inventory data Continue to maintain Broadview TTC station garden Continue applying for grants and research new grant opportunities Continue fundraising initiatives Year 10: hire a summer student and re-do tree inventory Update map database with new inventory data Continue to maintain Broadview TTC station garden Continue applying for grants and research new grant opportunities Continue fundraising initiatives Year 20: hire a summer student and re-do tree inventory Continue to maintain Broadview TTC station garden Continue applying for grants and research new grant opportunities Continue fundraising initiatives

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5. Allocation of Funds and Budget: The funding that Playter receives through donations, grants, and fundraising will help to achieve the priorities presented in this plan. To aid in decision-making and ensure that the overall goals of the Playter Urban Management Plan are met efficiently, it is recommended that funding allocation be prioritized to address areas of immediate concern first. Resources should therefore be allocated in the following order: 1. Development of a Tree Inventory - A comprehensive inventory is the foundation of good urban forest management. In order to manage an urban forest, it is necessary to know the nature and the condition of as many trees as possible. Adequate data is also important for monitoring changes overtime. 2. Public Education Resources and Workshops - When it comes to taking care of trees, replacing existing ones or planting new ones, proper education must be provided to ensure that the urban forest is sustained and enhanced properly. 3. Establishing a Tree Care Emergency Fund - Establishing an emergency fund to help offset tree care costs for residents in the occurrence of disastrous weather events such as wind and ice storms is an important goal. Allocation of funds and budget should be assessed annually to ensure the Management Plan is being implementing successfully; this will promote a proactive management. Year 1 Budget: Summer student stipend

$1,500 x 3 months

Inventory equipment (measuring tapes, DBH tapes, clinometers, GPS unit)

borrow from University of Toronto, Faculty of Forestry

Neighbourwoods training for summer student

$60

Printing costs of educational materials and door hangers to inform residents about inventory

~$50

Cost of labeling trees for educational purposes (including QR codes)

This has not been widely implemented yet, so cost is unknown

Supplies for summer student led education workshops on tree care and planting (mulch, trees, fertilizer)

$200

Total:

$4,810

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Long Term Budget: Costs for establishing small arboretum at Jackman School (cost of trees, mulch, tree labels, etc)

$1,200

Cost of re-doing tree inventory in year 10 and 20

$1500 x 3 month x 2 students (one in each year)

Establishing an emergency fund to help offset tree care costs for residents in the occurrence of disastrous weather events (ice and wind storms)

$5,000 (to be collected and maintained over time)

Community outreach and education events

$1,500

Printing costs of educational materials

$500

Total:

$17,200

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Works Cited: Aird, P. L. (2005). Heritage, natural heritage, cultural heritage, and heritage tree defined. Forestry Chronicle, 81(4), 593. Alexander, C., McDonald, C. (2014). Urban Forests: The value of trees in the city of Toronto. TD Bank Special Report. City of Toronto. (2008). Tree Protection Policy and Specifications for Constructions near Trees. Parks, Forestry & Recreation, Urban Forestry. City of Toronto. (2013). Every Tree Counts: A Portrait of Toronto’s Urban Forest. Toronto, Ontario. City of Toronto, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, Urban Forestry. City of Toronto. (2015). Planting Techniques and Maintenance: Planting Guidelines for Trees and Shrubs. Retrieved from: http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid= 59ac6c8d1f7cb410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=9aad60d0661694 0VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD Danforth BIA. (2014). History of the Danforth. Retrieved from: http://www.thedanforth.ca /history-of-the-danforth Halferty, M. (2010). Urban tree inventories. The Forestry Chronicle, 8(5), 562-563. Kenney, W. A. (2000). Leaf area density as an urban forestry planning and management tool. The Forestry Chronicle, 76(2), 235-239. Kenney, W. A., van Wassenaer, P. J., & Satel, A. L. (2011). Criteria and indicators for strategic urban forest planning and management. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry, 37(3), 108-117. Kuo, F. (2003). Social Aspects of Urban Forestry: The role of arboriculture in a healthy social ecology. Journal of Arboriculture, 29(3), 148 - 155. Nesbitt, N. H. L., Cowan, S. B. J., Cheng, Z. C., PI, S. S., & Neuvonen, J. (2015). The Social and Economic Values of Canada’s Urban Forests: A National Synthesis. Nowak, D., Crane, D. (2002). Carbon storage and sequestration by urban trees in the USA. Environmental Pollution, 116(3), 381-389. Nowak, D., Dwyer, J. (2007). Understanding the Benefits and Costs of Urban Forest Ecosystems. In: J. Kuser. Urban and Community Forestry in the Northeast. New York (NY): Springer, 25-46. Nowak, D. J., Stein, S. M., Randler, P. B., Greenfield, E. J., Comas, S. J., Carr, M. A., & Alig, R. J. (2010). Sustaining America's urban trees and forests: a Forests on the Edge report.

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Sustaining & Expanding the Urban Forest: Toronto’s Strategic Forest Management Plan. (2013). Toronto, Ontario. City of Toronto, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, Urban Forestry Tilghman, N.G. (1987). Characteristics of Urban Woodlands affecting winter bird diversity and abundance. Forest Ecology and Management, 21(3-4), 163-175. Toronto Parks, Forestry, and Recreation. (2013). Protection of Heritage Trees Staff Report. Retrieved from: www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/pe/bgrd/backgroundfile-62249.pdf

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Appendix:

Figure 6: Page 1 of the Neighbourwoods Quick Guide for evaluating tree health using 16 indicator factors.

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Figure 7: Page 2 of the Neighbourwoods Quick Guide for evaluating tree health.

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Sample Job Description for Neighbourwoods Tree Inventory & Community Outreach Student: Position: Neighbourwoods Tree Inventory and Community Outreach Summer Student Organization: Playter Area Residents’ Association (PARA) Location: Playter Estates, Toronto About Playter Estates and PARA: Playter Estates is a small neighbourhood located in Toronto’s east end near Danforth and Broadview Ave. Playter is dedicated to protecting, maintaining, and enhancing their urban forest network, and has recently developed a strategic urban forest management plan for their community. The plan identified completing a full tree inventory as a top priority for Playter. Thus PARA is seeking a knowledgeable and outgoing summer student to compete the tree inventory using Neighbourwoods protocol as well as work with volunteers and organize educational programs throughout the community. Today the Playter urban forest canopy consisted mainly of large Norway Maple trees (Acer platanoides), most of which have been aggressively pruned to avoid overhead hydro wires, and are beginning to enter age related declines. Some other large canopy trees also populate streets, however in recent years a number of these large trees have been removed, leaving significant gaps in the canopy. A number of streets in the community have grassy mediums between the sidewalks and roads where young street trees have been planted by the City. Position Description: PARA is seeking a knowledgeable, organized, enthusiastic, and self-motivated individual to work in the community of Playter this summer to complete the following tasks:  A complete inventory of all private and publicly owned trees in the community using the Neighbourwoods protocol  Teach the Neighbourwoods protocol and tree identification skills to community volunteers so that they can assist in completing the inventory  Promote an environment of stewardship and community involvement throughout Playter  Assist in creating educational materials and pamphlets for residents on topics such as proper tree planting techniques and tree care, tree species selection, and EAB  Develop and organize educational workshops for Playter residents Position will run from May to August 2016. Some weekend and evening work may be involved. The student will be compensated approximately $1500/month. Qualifications:    

Strong tree identification skills Outgoing personality and experience working with volunteers Ability to work with minimal supervision Experience with urban tree inventories, tree health assessments, and tree measurements (height, DBH, crown width) is an asset

PARA will sponsor the student in attending a 2 day Neighbourwoods training course covering the inventory protocol and a tree ID refresher. However any previous experience with Neighbourwoods is considered an asset.

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Table 1: Summary of funding grant deadlines, contact information, and websites.

1. Live Green Toronto: Initial deadline: late September Contact: N/A For information on grant goals and objectives, eligibility, application requirements visit: http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=393847232bee7410VgnVCM1000 0071d60f89RCRD 2. The Green Grants program by Walmart and Evergreen: Deadline: early February Contact: email: [email protected] or phone: 416-596-1495 ext 310. Additional information: http://www.evergreen.ca/get-involved/funding-opportunities/greengrants/ 3. EcoAction Community Funding Program: Deadline: early November Contact: N/A Additional information: http://www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction/ 4. TD Green Streets: Deadline: late November Contact: Sarah Quann, phone: 613-567-5545 ext 229, or email: [email protected] Additional Information: https://treecanada.ca/en/programs/td-green-streets/ 5. North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA) Community Grants: Deadline: late August Contact: mailto:[email protected] Additional Information: http://www.cec.org/Page.asp?PageID=835&SiteNodeID=1237 6. WWF-Canada Go Wild Community Grant Deadline: late December Contact: [email protected] Additional Infrmation: http://www.wwf.ca/takeaction/gowild/

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Figure 8: Page 1 of the City of Toronto's Get a Free Tree Program brochure. This program allows home owners to order a free tree (species of their choice from a pre-set list) to be planted on city-owned land on their property.

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Figure 9: Page 2 of the City of Toronto's Get a Free Tree Program brochure. This page shows the selection of tree species that can be requested. Trees are organized by what region they are native to.

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