Monday July 7, 2003

Thank you to everyone who made it out last evening, particularly David Schmitt and John Smola of the City.

For an issue that is specifically affecting 32 homes a turn out of over 20 people is indicative of the high level of interest that this issue has for our entire neighbourhood.

I think that as a group we now have a better understanding of the city’s plan to maintain and improve on our urban forest. We also have a much better understanding of the condition of the trees in our immediate neighbourhood.

Issues raised last night included:

1. Why the removal of certain trees?
2. Can we maintain the tree canopy?
3. Can we replace the removed trees with larger stock?
4. Is it possible to use special cables that require less “hydro pruning”?
5. Is there anything that we can do to help maintain the trees that we have?
6. Why cut off an entire limb because a couple of branches are below the 8ft sidewalk, and 14 ft street clearance requirements?
7. What varieties of trees can be used to replace trees that are removed?

Responses:

1. A detailed explanation from David Schmitt on each tree slated for removal – condition of the tree, and possible safety risk, illness, ”hydro pruning”, choke root.

2. Yes the tree canopy can be maintained and encouraged and we can work with David Schmitt and the city between now and October to determine the best tree choices to achieve this and the bio diversity that the city is looking to achieve in managing a healthy urban forest.  The city is now clearly aware that columnar oaks and maples that will not provide a canopy are not desirable.  The issue of maintaining the trees in the face of “hydro pruning” is another part of the equation that will be addressed as part of the meeting on street renovations July 17^th at city hall (all are invited and encouraged to come) and on an ongoing basis by John Smola and Kim Niles as we investigate the cooperative efforts between Hydro, the city foresters and the residents to maintain the neighbourhood’s tree stock.

3. Yes we can “upgrade” to larger stock at a cost.  However the use of larger stock means larger holes.  Larger holes may come into conflict with gas and water services – this issue can be raised and planned for at the pre-construction meeting of the 17^th.

4. David Schmitt, possibly with the assistance of Kelly Burmeister, will investigate the City of Toronto use of specially designed hydro cables that are shielded against the potential damage from tree limbs and squirrels – meaning that aggressive pruning is not required and the trees can be left intact.

5. The most beneficial thing that we can do to encourage the healthy growth of the trees on our streetscape is to water them.  In dry times a weekly use of a soaker hose at the base of the tree for several hours would be of great benefit to the continued health of the trees.  Many of the trees on our street are in poor health because of the factors affecting them, including “hydro pruning”.  So their life spans are not expected to exceed the next 5 – 15 years.  But taking care of them will not hurt, they are not dead yet.  The next most beneficial thing that we can do to preserve our trees is to find a way to end “hydro pruning” – this devastating practice is the legal right and responsibility of Kitchener Hydro, but is done with a total disregard to the longevity of the trees involved.  We need to have this issue addressed.

6. There was an explanation on why cutting a limb off is better for the tree than just a few of the intervening branches (lion tailing).  And that these are municipal standards and that they should be met as a usual course of unrestricted access to the road and sidewalk.  However, each case where the removal of a limb is considered it should be discussed with the residents, and where possible alternates should be reviewed.

7. David Schmitt, is going to provide information on the choices of canopy creating tree stock that the city feels will fit well in the urban forest and create some of the bio diversity that the city is working to achieve. (currently 60% of the City of Kitchener urban tree stock is on variety – Norway Maple)  Some of the possibilities include some oak varieties and sugar maples.  Examples of these trees can be seen near Louisa and Arhens, and Margaret and Louisa streets.  There are examples of 100 year old sugar maples within the city of Kitchener.

David Schmitt, we look forward to hearing more from you as we move forward with this renewal, thank you again for the knowledgeable and patient responses to our many questions and concerns.

People are encouraged to attend the meeting on July 17^th at City Hall. – a letter will be arriving in your mail boxes with the details.

David Bradshaw
Auditorium Neighbourhood Association
www.myneighbour.org

This email is going to: 135, 145, 137, 211, 153, 181, 182, 185, 146, 147, 140, 132, 174, 177, 157, 168, 164 Simeon and 103 Krug.  If live next to 156, 136, or 134 could you be so kind as to relay this message or print a copy for the neighbours who did not indicate an email address. The Hallers, the Lunds, and the Hunsbergers. 

PS – my 9 year old son said that our meeting was a meeting of the Ents. Ents are creatures from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, and they speak for and protect the trees. Why not – The Auditorium Neighbourhood Association Ents.