urban forest management policy - Town of Aurora [PDF]

URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT POLICY

THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF AURORA PARKS AND RECREATION SERVICES 100 John West Way, Aurora, Ontario, L4G-6J1 T.905-727-3123 F.905-727-3903 www.aurora.ca JUNE 2015

Parks & Recreation Services Department, Parks Division

URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT POLICY

TABLE OF CONTENTS page EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Definition of Urban Forestry 1.3 The Purpose and Objectives of the Town of Aurora Urban Forestry Management Policy 1.4 The Benefits of the Urban Forest

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2.0 OVERVIEW OF THE URBAN FOREST PROGRAM 2.1 Our Goal 2.2 Objectives 2.3 Authority for Tree Protection and Enhancement 2.4 Responsibilities 2.4.1 Parks and Recreation / Parks Operations Section 2.4.2 Parks and Recreation / Landscape / Planning Design 2.4.3 Table 1 Urban Forest Resource Management 2.4.4 By-law Enforcement 2.4.5 The Development Industry 2.4.6 The General Public

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3.0 THE CURRENT STATUS OF AURORA’S URBAN FOREST 3.1 The Urban Forest as a Growing Asset 3.2 The Urban Forest Industry 3.3 Inventory Methodology 3.4 The Benefits of the Tree Inventory 3.5 Limitations of the Inventory 3.6 The Current Town of Aurora Inventory 3.7 Urban Forestry Diversity 3.8 Tree Cover and Leaf Area 3.9 Tree Cover by Land Use 3.10 Tree Size 3.11 Street Trees Profile 3.12 Park Trees Profile 3.13 Aurora Woodlands Profile 3.14 General Activities to be Implemented in Woodlots 3.15 Specific Activities to be Implemented in Vandorf Woodlot 3.16 Specific Activities to be Implemented in Case Woodlot

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4.0 PLANNING THE URBAN FOREST 4.1 Design Philosophy 4.2 Design Guidelines 4.3 The Criteria for Reviewing Landscape Design 4.4 Design Standards

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5.0 THE TREE PLANTING PROGRAM 5.1 Planting Levels 5.2 Master Municipal Tree Planting Plan 5.3 Species Diversity 5.4 Plant Material 5.5 The Town Nursery 6.0 THE TREE MAINTENANCE AND PROTECTION PROGRAMS

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6.1 The Systematic Tree Pruning Program 6.2 Pruning Guidelines and Standards 6.3 Priority Maintenance 6.4 Tree Removal 6.5 Tree Protection 6.6 Tree Compensation 6.7 Heritage Trees 6.8 Storm Response 7.0 HEALTH & SAFETY REQUIREMENTS 8.0 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM) 8.1 Statutory Authority 8.2. Non Chemical Control Measures 9.0 PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INVOLVEMENT 9.1 Current Public Programs 9.2 Educational Programs and Services 10.0 STAFF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT 11.0 A PLAN TO ESTABLISH, MAINTAIN, EXPAND AND SUSTAIN AURORA’S URBAN TREE CANOPY 11.1 Background and Purpose 11.2 Establishing the Urban Forest 11.3 Maintaining the Urban Forest 11.4 Expanding the Urban Forest 11.5 Sustaining the Urban Forest 11.6 A Model of Urban Forest Sustainability 12.0 IMPLEMENTATION 12.1 The Policies and Procedures Manual 12.2 Orientation of Staff 12.3 Distribution to Internal and External Stakeholders 12.4 The Implementation Plan 12.5 Monitoring and Evaluation 13.0 CONCLUSION LIST OF FIGURES Table 1 Urban Forest Resource Management Table 2: Estimated Canopy Cover

APPENDICES Appendix 1 Policy A Landscape Design Guidelines Appendix 2 Policy B Tree Planting and Approved Plant List Appendix 3 Policy C Tree Removal, Pruning and Compensation Policy Appendix 4 Policy D Tree Protection/Preservation Appendix 5 Policy E Emergency Tree Response Plan Appendix 6 Policy F Health & Safety Training Requirements Appendix 7 Policy G Heritage Trees Appendix 8 Policy H Memorial Trees Appendix AWMP, Aurora Woodlands Management Plan - USB STICK Appendix TI, Tree Inventory & Maps - USB STICK Appendix UFMS, Urban Forest Modeling Study - USB STICK

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Parks & Recreation Services Department, Parks Division

URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT POLICY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Trees make Aurora a more desirable and healthy place to live. The Town has an urban forest which includes more than 20,000 town owned street trees with an estimated replacement value of approximately 20 million dollars not including our forested woodlands. Since the urban forest is a growing asset which appreciates in value it is an investment with an increasing return. This was abundantly clear in the results of the recent Urban Forest Modeling study that was completed in the summer of 2014. (attached as Appendix UFMS) However, trees are subject to increasing urban stresses and pressures associated with environmental conditions and major threats due to insect infestation. As a result, a healthy sustainable urban forest can only be achieved with proper planning and resource commitment. The Town of Aurora Urban Forest Management Policy (TAUFMP) provides a comprehensive strategy for managing Aurora’s urban forest and woodlands in an arboriculturally sound and cost-effective manner. It builds upon the existing body of programs, standards, and specifications used to manage the urban forest and proposes new programs, policies and procedures as well as some modifications to current practices. This management plan and policy is based on the culmination of many years of past practice and previous standalone standards and specifications that have been developed and implemented to meet the needs of the urban forest operation during periods of rapid growth in the municipality. This management plan addresses the functionally related components and is formatted into appendices that form a Policies and Procedures Manual that can guide managers and front line staff in their daily forestry maintenance operations. It is important to recognize that this Urban Forest Management Policy describes in detail, components of an operational system that will meet the needs of the Parks Division, however it is not a static management policy, rather one that is capable of adjusting to change and incorporating modifications and improvements as new information and technology becomes available. The following policies, standards, procedures and guidelines have been created and are intended to address issues and ongoing needs of our urban forest and woodland areas. • • • • • • • • • • •

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A policy on Plant Material requiring seedling stock and plant material to be propagated and grown within zone 4a to 5b or hardier A policy on Tree Species Diversity that prohibits the establishment of monocultures and requires that no more than 20 per cent of any one genus can be planted at any one planting site. For example, a project that requires 100 trees to be planted, not more than 20 trees can be of the same genus Planting Procedures and Specifications to be used by all agencies or owners who plant trees on public lands An up-dated Tree Species Selection List for different site conditions A Master Tree Planting Strategy that establishes tree planting targets aimed at urban tree canopy percentage increases A policy on compensation for trees that are removed or lost through the land development and site planning process Provides a comprehensive plan for new tree plantings and replacement plantings based on design principles for the Town of Aurora Prioritizes the order in which sites should be planted Provides projections for the quantity and species of trees required to assist the Town nursery in determining its production plan A policy on Priority Maintenance that establishes categories for prioritizing maintenance work and establishes a response time for each category Tree Spacing Standards to establish setbacks from various infrastructure elements Root Pruning Guidelines that explain when root pruning should be done, by whom it should be done and establishes a process for developing an inventory of existing problem sites

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A Tree Removal Policy that describes the criteria for removing a tree, the process to be followed when removing a hazardous tree or to accommodate development and who is responsible for the costs and the penalties for failing to comply

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A policy on Tree Protection that establishes protective zones, hoarding, soil compaction and grade change requirements for protecting public trees during construction and maintenance activities A Heritage Trees of Aurora Program intended to locate, designate, catalogue and preserve the heritage trees in Aurora An Urban Forest Storm Response Plan that establishes an early warning system for forecasting the magnitude of storms and procedures and mechanisms for coordinating and prioritizing the storm response and clean-up Threshold Indicators for responding to various tree pests and diseases A Tree Planting Program that encourages public involvement in enhancing the urban forest on both private and public lands by making trees from the Town nursery available to community organizations for planting A Tree Donation and Memorial Tree Program that encourages public involvement in enhancing the urban forest by purchasing trees from the Town for planting in parks and on trails Establishment of a Public Tree Inventory that will provide the basis for the development of an individual tree inventory Identification of the training needs for employees involved in tree care Safety Requirements that describe the responsibilities, the process and the safety procedures for employees involved in tree care

• • • • • • • •

These components prescribe an operational frame work that is comprehensive, practical and future-oriented. They address the short and long term needs of the Towns urban forest and create a plan for managing one of our most valuable assets, our forest resources.

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Parks & Recreation Services Department, Parks Division

URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT POLICY

1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 Introduction The urban forest is essential to the current and future health of Aurora and its residents. A healthy, well maintained urban forest does not come about without forethought, planning and resource commitment. It is created and maintained through a shared vision, cooperation and an ever-present focus on maximizing benefits and minimizing costs. The Town of Aurora Urban Forest Management Policy presents a strategy for the development of a sustainable urban forest that is capable of surviving into the future and maximizing the environmental, sociological and economic well-being of the citizens of Aurora. This forest management policy is considered one of the first steps in complying with Recommendation No 19 in the recently completed Town of Aurora Urban Forest Report wherein it is suggested that the Town develop an Urban Forest Management Plan and Policies which address the ongoing needs of the Towns urban forest resources. The TAUFMP is based on an integrated system of management that utilizes forestry principles, a tree inventory analysis, planting, and maintenance and protection standards for tree care. Together the programs, policies, standards, and procedures proposed in the TAUFMP form a comprehensive strategy that will ensure the best use of available resources that will sustain and optimize the benefits of the urban forest. 1.2 Definition of Urban Forestry “Urban forestry is the sustained planning, planting, protection, maintenance and care of trees, forests, greenspace and related resources in Town for the economic, environmental, social, and public health benefits of people." Proper management of the urban forest requires the integration of the fields of arboriculture, forestry, landscape architecture, ecology, pest management, economics, planning and sociology. The on-going support and involvement of the public is essential to the long-term vitality of the urban forest. 1.3 The Purpose and Objectives of The Town of Aurora Urban Forestry Management Policy The purpose of the Town of Aurora Urban Forest Management Policy (TAUFMP) is to provide the Town with a comprehensive Management Policy for effectively managing, sustaining and ensuring the growth of Aurora’s urban forest in an arboriculturally sound and cost-effective manner. Objectives The TAUFMP encompasses the following objectives: •

To provide a comprehensive inventory of Aurora’s public trees

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To develop or update planting and maintenance procedures and incorporate those into policies intended to ensure the best care of the urban forest

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To establish guidelines for the prioritization of work needs and service requests

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To formulate urban forestry management guidelines which address matters pertaining to the responsibility of the Town, the public, and developers for planting and maintaining trees

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To review the role of the Town nursery in providing suitable stock for the urban forest and private land owners, where feasible, in response to mitigating the impacts of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)

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To review the integrated pest management program in relation to the urban forest and recommend potential changes

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To review current urban forestry public participation and education programs and recommended action plans in the Towns stewardship role in private property tree planting programs in accordance with recommendation Nos.11 &12 in the Town of Aurora Urban Forest Report

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To continue to update the municipal tree inventory and management information system

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To develop a Master Tree Planting Strategy that prioritizes sites, both on public and private lands for tree plantings aimed at increasing the Towns overall percentage of tree canopy on an incremental basis

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Parks & Recreation Services Department, Parks Division

URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT POLICY

1.4 The Benefits of the Urban Forest There are numerous benefits derived from Aurora’s urban forest. Trees add aesthetic beauty to our community and with a properly managed and maintained urban forest, Aurora is a more desirable and healthy place to live work and play. The recently completed Urban Forest Report provides much information and detail on the environmental benefits of trees in Aurora and is appended to this document for reference purposes. However, the following are some of the long-term environmental, ecological, social and economic benefits that are outlined in the Urban Forest Report. • • • • • • • •

Trees improve the quality of air Trees improve the quality of water Trees help reduce the negative effects of noise pollution Trees reduce temperature and heating costs Trees reduce storm water runoff Ecological benefits of the urban forest Social benefits of the urban forest Economic benefits of the urban forest

2.0 OVERVIEW OF THE URBAN FOREST PROGRAM 2.1 Our Goal Aurora's urban forest is essential to the current and future environmental health of our Town and its residents. The goal of Aurora’s Urban Forestry Program is to proactively manage and sustain the Towns forest in an arboriculturally sound and cost-effective manner that provides the greatest environmental, economic and social benefits to our residents. This goal will be achieved through the programs, policies, standards and specifications contained in this Policy. 2.2 Objectives The objectives of the Urban Forestry Program are as follows: 1. To maintain a current inventory of all trees on public land required for the effective management of the urban forest 2. To preserve a healthy urban forest through regular maintenance and monitoring 3. To use a variety of proactive methods to protect trees from diseases and pests 4. To protect people and property from potential tree hazards 5. To remove trees that are dead, diseased, hazardous or in conflict with their surroundings 6. To provide ongoing training and development for staff in all aspects of arboriculture and the proper methods of planting and pruning trees with an overall emphases on worker safety 7. To encourage the public and the private development industry to participate in the greening of The Town of Aurora 8. To set and achieve goals aimed at incremental net increases in the Urban Forest Canopy 2.3 Authority for Tree Protection and Enhancement Tree Permit By-law Number 4474-03.D provides; • • •

Protection for trees on private property A process for the issuance of a Permit to remove trees on private property at the discretion of the Town Council Fines for any person who contravenes the bylaw

Property Standards By-law Number 4044-99.P provides; •

Authority for the Property Standards Officer to require the owner of trees on private property which constitute an imminent danger to public safety or public property to take action to eliminate the hazard

Zoning By-law #2213-78 provides; •

Provides landscape and buffering regulations for the Town

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Town of Aurora Official Plan provides; •

Controls and Policies for the subdivision of land within the Town including landscaping of parks, streets, and open spaces

2.4 Responsibilities Maintaining a healthy urban forest requires a variety of activities and a significant investment of resources. It also requires the active participation of several Departments and Divisions. These responsibilities are described below. 2.4.1 Parks and Recreation/Parks Operations Section The Parks Operations Section is responsible for planting, removal, pruning and overall maintenance of trees on all public streets, roadways, traffic medians, parks, woodlots and open space areas and for managing tree nurseries. Parks Operations is also responsible for pest management issues including monitoring the urban forest in order to identify and track insect populations and occurrences of tree diseases. The section is also responsible for implementing programs to manage pests and diseases that affect the health of the urban forest. The Urban Forest resources in Aurora are significant and the management of this resource requires a combination of in house staff, external contractors and forestry consulting firms in order to deliver the service levels outlined in this Plan. Table1 below illustrates both the resources and the administrative frame work that are dedicated to the management of the Urban Forest in Aurora. 2.4.2 Parks and Recreation / Landscape/Planning Design The Landscape Planning and Design Division is responsible for designing and approval of all land development related landscape/streetscape plans and tree protection measures and for providing planning expertise for developing policies and municipal tree planting and maintenance standards. And more specifically, reviewing development plans for the purpose of ensuring minimum requirements for the landscaping of new development, street frontages, paved areas and open spaces, buffer areas and visual screens. The intent is to mitigate pollution, soften views, buffer incompatible land uses, conserve energy, improve the general appearance of the neighbourhood and provide an overall positive image of the Town.

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Parks & Recreation Services Department, Parks Division

URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT POLICY

2.4.3 TABLE 1 URBAN FOREST RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

DIRECTOR OF PARKS & RECREATION

PARKS MANAGER Developes , implements and administrates all aspects of urban forestry policy

SENIOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT PARKS SUPERVISOR Coordinates, schedules, prioritizes and supervises all aspects of urban forestry work

Responsible for all aspects of urban foresrty design standards, specifications and details for plantiing and tree protection on exisitng and new development lands

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT CERTIFIED ARBORIST CREW LEADER Completes work orders ,liases with public and home owners , conducts arboriculture operations

OUT SOURCED CONTRACT ARBORICULTURE SERVICES For larger scale works including tree planting projects & arboricultural operations such as block pruning , large tree removal and pruning work near high voltage power lines and emergency tree work resulting from major storm damage

Responsible for landscape design and plan approval , final inspection of development related tree plantiing contracts and tree protection sites

2 MUNICIPAL ARBORISTS SERVICE PERSONS Involved in frontline forestry operations full time , tree pruning , removal and tree planting works

LAND DEVELOPERS AND EXTERNAL CONSULTANTS Responsible for designing, implementing and approving large scale tree planting projects and tree protection sites

2 PARKS SERVICE PERSONS Assigned to foresrty operations for a three month period during each year for tree planting and pruning operations

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Parks & Recreation Services Department, Parks Division

URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT POLICY

2.4.4 By-law Enforcement The Bylaw Enforcement Division assist in compliance related matters with Tree Permit By-law number 447403.D and the Property Standards By-law number 4044-99.P by providing inspection, public information and enforcement services. By-law number 4474-03.D provides the authority and protection for the Towns privately owned trees on lands less than 1 ha in size. Region of York Forest Conservation By-law number 2013-68 provides the authority and protection to prohibit or regulate the injuring of trees in the Region of York on lands greater than 1 ha. Unless the lands are part of the Regional Woodland the Regions by-law supersedes the lower tier municipality’s bylaw 2.4.5 The Development Industry The development industry is responsible for complying with municipal bylaws and requirements intended to protect both public and private trees during construction activities. They are also responsible for planting and landscaping in accordance with the Towns Official Plan, Zoning By-laws and the policies set out in the TAUFMP. 2.4.6 The General Public The general public is responsible for complying with Tree Permit By-law Number 4474-03.D, all forestry statutes and bylaws. 3.0 THE CURRENT STATUS OF AURORA’S URBAN FOREST 3.1 The Urban Forest as a Growing Asset Trees in the Town of Aurora have long been recognized as a valuable community asset as attested by Councils Capital investment of significant resources in the fight against the Emerald Ash Borer as well as the annual investment in funding the Towns forestry maintenance budgets. The ability of the urban forest to appreciate rather than depreciate in value makes it unique among the Towns assets. The urban forest maintenance budget is therefore an investment with an increasing return. According to the recently completed Urban Forest Study the replacement value of all trees in Aurora, both private and publicly owned, is estimated to be $627 million. 3.2 The Urban Forest Inventory An inventory of Aurora’s public trees was first conducted in 2006 updated in 2011 and scheduled for a further update in 2015. The tree inventory provides a portrait of the urban forest. The importance of the tree inventory in managing the urban forest is based on the premise that the Town must have a complete picture of the tree population in order to ensure the proper care of existing trees, plan for the future and make the most effective use of available resources. The inventory provides basic information on the number of trees, age, tree health and species composition, tree removals and replacements, public hazards and maintenance needs that are the basis for planning and decision-making. The tree inventory proved to be a very useful source of data in the management of the Emerald Ash Borer infestation. With the inventory, staff were able to pinpoint the exact location of each ash tree and its size and health rating which resulted in a highly efficient, accurate and streamlined process in the treatment of ash trees. 3.3 Inventory Methodology A custom Tree Inventory program was developed by the Towns forestry consulting firm Silv-Econ Ltd. to ensure consistency in collecting the data. (See Appendix TI Tree Inventory & Map) The street tree inventory and a parks tree inventory were undertaken by visiting each individual tree. All data for each tree was entered into hand-held computers during site visits. The resulting information was then systematically assigned by the electronic program to create a database that can then be queried in a multitude of ways based on location, species, individual streets etc. 3.4 The Benefits of the Tree Inventory The following benefits will be derived from the tree inventory. • Species Composition: Accurate knowledge of the over-all species composition will enable the town to pro-actively manage the tree population to achieve acceptable species diversity • Tree Maintenance: Ability to track and manage insect infestation, diseases and other environmental threats to the urban forest and record treatments for The Integrated Pest Management Program.

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URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT POLICY

• •

• •

• •

• •

Identification of trees requiring emergency work, priority prunes or removals will allow priorities to be established and resources allocated based on the needs of the trees Tree Plantings: Identification of stumps and gaps will allow tree plantings to be prioritized Master Tree Plan: The inventory provides the basis for planning and decision-making. It is a key planning tool in determining what species and locations should be planted in the future and in developing a master tree plan and can be summarized to prioritize resources and develop well-grounded annual budget requests Individual Tree Inventory: Tree inventory which identifies trees by blocks will form the basis for a future individualized tree inventory management information system Work Management: An individual tree inventory will enable mangers to allocate manpower and equipment based on the actual species, size, condition and maintenance requirements of the tree. Daily work schedules will be based on the priorities derived from the inventory, grouped into efficient combinations of tasks and geographic areas Requests for Service: An individualized tree inventory with each tree located by address in the computerized data base will expedite requests for services by providing a detailed service history of each tree that will enable staff to respond in a timely and professional manner Accurate Cost Analysis: Work completed is recorded for each individual tree. This will allow a cost analysis of the manpower, equipment and material including the extent and frequency of service. Resource expenditures identified by the tree serviced would provide more accurate data for future manpower and equipment budgeting Species Performance: Valuable knowledge about the response of a species to different growing conditions and maintenance treatments can be obtained from an individual tree inventory Tree Values: Financial values can be assigned to each individual tree for the purpose of determining the Towns total investment in the public urban forest which is very useful information when faced with conducting cost benefit analysis of managing pest infestation and the urban forests environmental benefits

3.5 Limitations of the Inventory While it is recognized that the tree inventory is a very useful data base it is limited to existing street trees and parks trees and must be updated on occasion in order to remain current as the Town continues to develop.It is also necessary to revisit the entire inventory on a cyclical basis in order to track growth rates, health conditions and any changes that may negatively affect the urban forest inventory. This is considered an important component of the inventory that must be conducted so that information on tree growth remains current. An example of this need became apparent in the Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Plan whereby staff based the EAB treatment Tender on the tree diameter sizes in the current tree inventory. It became apparent, once the contractor commenced treatment, that a significant number of trees were actually larger in diameter than specified in the tree inventory, This was attributed to the incremental increase in the growth of trees since the previous inventory data had been collected As a result, additional funding was required to cover the increased costs of material and labour. This situation could have been avoided with a more up to date tree inventory.It is recommended that the tree inventory be updated every six years for the purpose of keeping the information current and applicable 3.6 The Current Town of Aurora Tree Inventory As of November 2011 the current Town of Aurora tree inventory stands at 18,273 trees located in parks and on road right of ways. Of this total 14,845 trees are located on road right of ways and 3,482 are within parks or the road right of way fronting onto a park location. Table 2 below contains the entire species inventory and the relevant percentage of the species in the makeup of the urban forest. However the majority of the urban forest is comprised of the following top 10 tree species

Norway maple cultivars Green ash Linden Honey locust Sugar maple Silver maple

QUANTITY 3999 2803 2416 1791 957 882

PERCENTAGE 22% 15% 13% 10% 5% 5%

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URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT POLICY

Blue spruce Red oak Hackberry White ash

QUANTITY 628 455 370 323

PERCENTAGE 3% 2% 2% 2%

Norway Maple cultivars are the most common group representing 22 per cent of the public urban forest followed by Green Ash at 15 percent then Linden and Locust at 13 and 10 percent respectively. During the late 1960s and through the next decade there were relatively few tree species being utilized by municipalities for planting on road right of ways. As such, Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) and Ash (Fraxinus) cultivars, i.e Crimson King Maple, Schwedler Maple, Globe Maple and Green Ash, were a very common selection for street trees. This was based on the fact that they were abundant and favoured by the landscape design and nursery industry for their traits as fast growing, large canopy and stress tolerant trees making them an “ideal” street tree candidate. Unfortunately these trees tended to be somewhat over planted and often in large groupings or monocultures. Since these earlier times much has been learned in the nursery and landscape design industry concerning all aspects of arboriculture in the urban environment. The practice of grouping same species trees together on street boulevards became prime target for insect infestation and pests that were drawn to specific species making it difficult to control the outbreak of insects or disease. The Emerald Ash Borer being a prime example. It’s interesting to note that of the entire 300 trees that suffered some form of damage or complete loss as a result of the 2013 ice storm, all but one tree were Ash species. It is thought that EAB may have played a part in this however the structural integrity of this species was also in question. The intermingling of a wider variety of tree species has now become the norm and the nursery industry has adapted well by providing a much wider variety of trees that have shown great promise in their performance and tolerance of the urban environment. Norway Maples are no longer being planted as they too have not been without issues. This species is now considered non-native invasive with a tendency to develop life limiting problems associated with foliage diseases, girdling roots and structural weaknesses inherent with these species. For obvious reason associated with EAB, Ash species are also off the planting list as it is very unlikely that the Emerald Ash Borer will ever completely disappear from the landscape, not unlike Dutch Elm disease. In consideration of the above, the Towns Arboricultural practices have continued to evolve on many fronts, most notably a much broader selection of tree species that are well suited to the urban landscape are now being planted. Table 2 below contains all of the trees species that can now be found within the town parks and street boulevards. While it is recognized that the quantities of the more diversified plant list are low at this time, there will be a more even balance in species diversity moving forward. It is expected that this will be further reflected in the updated tree inventory scheduled for 2015. 3.7 Urban Forestry Diversity Recommendation 5 in Appendix UFMS, the Urban Forest Modeling Study advises that the Town should work toward the goal in establishing a much more diverse tree population in which no species represents more than five per cent of the tree population, no genus represents more than 10 per cent of the tree population, and no family represents more than 20 per cent of the intensively managed tree population, both municipal-wide and at the neighbourhood level this includes both public and private trees. 3.8 Tree Cover and Leaf Area: Aurora’s 1.95 million trees, consisting of both private and public trees contribute to 28 per cent tree canopy cover and provide 99 km2 of total leaf area. The greatest proportion of the existing urban forest is located in residential areas of the municipality; approximately 41 per cent of the total tree and shrub cover in the municipality is found within this land use. The greatest opportunity to increase canopy cover through tree planting efforts is also found in the residential areas; approximately 32 per cent of the total area available for additional tree establishment is located in the residential land use category.

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3.9 Tree Cover by Land Use: • • • • • • • • •

Residential: 29% Industrial: 7% Commercial: 12% Agriculture: 27% Open Space: 33% Institutional: 17% Natural Cover: 51% Utilities and Transportation: 41% Other: 39%

3.10 Tree Size: The proportion of large, mature trees in Aurora is low. Approximately 74% of all trees are less than 15.3cm in diameter at breast height (dbh). As urban trees increase in size, their environmental, social and economic benefits increase as well. For example, in Aurora a tree that is 65 cm dbh stores 62 times more carbon than a tree that is 11 cm dbh. TABLE 2 ESTIMATED CANOPY COVER

SPECIES Norway maple Green ash Linden Honey locust Sugar maple Silver maple Blue spruce Red oak Hackberry White ash Red maple Austrian pine Crab apple White spruce Kentucky coffee tree Ginkgo Norway spruce Black walnut Chanticleer pear American sycamore Serviceberry Field maple Cherry sp White pine Bur oak Globe Norway maple Manitoba maple American elm Turkish witch hazel Mountain ash

QUANTITY 3999 2803 2416 1791 957 882 628 455 370 323 302 301 260 230 218 174 157 156 121 120 94 91 91 84 80 74 72 62 57 54

% of total 22% 15% 13% 10% 5% 5% 3% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

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Northern catalpa Ohio buckeye Basswood Scots pine Pin oak Willow sp. Amur maple Eastern white cedar Shubert chokecherry White birch Hawthorn sp. English oak Tulip tree Swamp white oak Elm sp. Horse chestnut Ironwood Fraser fir Siberian elm Black locust White oak Maple sp Poplar sp. Tamarack Columnar white oak European larch Eastern red cedar Black ash Balsam fir Butternut Choke cherry Apple sp. Cottonwood Juniper sp. White poplar White fir Unknown Sycamore Magnolia Dawn redwood Weeping mulberry Eastern hemlock Yellow birch Russian-olive Trembling aspen White elm Nootka cypress Cucumber magnolia Mugo pine Red cedar

52 51 50 49 48 47 44 38 33 32 28 28 26 24 23 22 21 20 17 14 13 12 10 9 8 8 8 8 7 7 7 6 6 6 5 5 5 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2

0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

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Prospector Elm Copper beech Pin cherry Bitternut hickory Staghorn sumac Large tooth aspen Black maple Redbud Douglas fir Mulberry Smoke tree Scarlett oak Alberta spruce Black cherry Beech sp. English walnut Paper birch Chinese elm Grand Total

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 18273

0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

3.11 Street Trees Profile For the purpose of the inventory, trees on boulevards, buffer strips, public walkways, medians and traffic islands have been included with street trees. In the current inventory there are a total of 14,845 street trees in Aurora. The average mean height of a street tree is 7.4 meters. The average mean diameter is 16 cm. In terms of their maintenance needs 0.04 per cent were identified as requiring an emergency prune. This work is considered routine and has been completed since the update of the tree inventory was completed in 2011. 3.12 Park Trees Profile Currently there are 3,182 trees in the Parks system. The average mean height of a park tree is 8.2 meters. The average mean diameter is 19 cm. In terms of their maintenance needs 0.02 per cent were identified as requiring an emergency prune, however a small percentage of trees also required some form of routine pruning to ensure proper tree form, removal of dead branches and overhead clearance of sidewalks and roadways. This work is considered routine and for the most part has been completed since the update of the tree inventory was completed in 2011. 3.13 Aurora Woodlands Profile Appendix AWMP Aurora Woodlands Management Plan provides a comprehensive woodland management plan for the period of January 2010 to December 2019. The AWMP was authored by Silv-Econ Ltd. who’s principal is Chris Gynan a former Aurora resident that went on to become a registered professional forester. Growing up in Aurora, Chris has a wealth of knowledge of Aurora’s woodlands as they served to provide Chris with a valuable resource in his university studies. Chris was also instrumental in the planting of large quantities of seeding trees in our woodlots on a voluntary basis as part of his ongoing studies. The Aurora Woodlands, which include the Case Woodlot and Vandorf Woodlot are located within the Town of Aurora in the Region of York. Both forests are situated at the south end of Aurora, just north of Bloomington Side Road. The woodlands cover approximately 50 hectares, of which 45 hectares (90%) is forested. The forests are composed of six major vegetation communities: sugar maple (49%), white cedar - hemlock (21%), mixed plantation (8%), Manitoba maple, hawthorn, buckthorn, ash (5%), mixed hemlock and sugar maple (4%) and aspen (1%). Each of these communities contains unique combinations of tree species and wildlife.

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The AWMP was first written in 1999 and updated in 2010 with a focus on the following six principals: • • • • •

Recreation Education Forest protection Conservation of species diversity Wildlife habitat

The AWMP outlines in greater detail all of the key issues and recommendations that should be considered for implementation over the life of the plan, many of which have already been implemented by staff. Please refer to Section 11 pages 36 through 40 for the detailed information and recommendations that have been identified for Auroras Woodlands over a10 year period (2010 –2019). The key issues and recommended priority of activities including the current status of each item are as follows; 3.14 General Activities to be implemented in Woodlots

ACTIVITY

1. Assess pruning or removal requirements as shown on inspection and mark trees adjacent to trails and property boundaries on a two-year cycle. 2. Organize a Forest Advisory Team consisting of individuals that represent local forest user groups (e.g., hikers, schools, nature clubs, adjacent neighbourhoods, Adopt-a-Park program). This team will provide input on trails and forestry issues and serve as a sounding board for management projects. 3. Rehabilitate bike stunt areas by dismantling structures, filling and levelling dug pits, and repairing or closing un-official trails by erecting signage and fencing where appropriate.

CURRENT STATUS Ongoing inspections of woodlots, trails and property boundaries on a monthly basis.

Has not been implemented at this time.

Bike stunt areas are no longer in use. Pits and ruts have been filled in. Further restoration works involving reforestation scheduled for 2015

4. Meet with the Forest Advisory Team to identify potential unofficial trails to close. Install signs and wooden fence/logs at the entrance to selected unofficial trails.

Forestry Advisory Team to be determined, however unofficial trails that are still in existence will be considered for closure in conjunction with 2015 *Junior Ranger Program.

5. Remove fire pit structures and rehabilitate areas by establishing shrub and tree vegetation.

Fire pits have been removed, naturalized vegetation is returning to the site.

6. Convert communities of Manitoba maple and European buckthorn where they exist to more native plant assemblages.

Ongoing.

7. Design updated trail brochures to be distributed at the Town Hall and as pdf files on the Town’s web site.

Not implemented at this time.

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8. Engage nearby schools in seed collection, tree planting, insect population monitoring, and invasive species control and restoration.

Not implemented at this time.

9. Monitor identified trees shown on Map 2 & 3 for seed production and conduct seed collection when available. Seeds should be sown in the Town’s tree nursery to grow specimens for reforestation programs.

Not implemented at this time.

10. Forest insect and disease monitoring programs should be conducted annually and control programs conducted when necessary and feasible.

Ongoing monitoring of the woodlots as required.

11. Install and maintain bird boxes. Involve local community & school groups in this activity. 12. Work with Silv-Econ Ltd. to designate the Aurora Woodlands as FSC certified.

Bird Boxes have been installed under the supervision of area bird expert David Tomlinson and volunteers.

Potential *Junior Ranger project.

Potential

*Junior Ranger project.

Not implemented at this time

* Junior Ranger Program is a partnership initiative with the Ministry of Natural Resources. The Town of Aurora has been partnering

with the Junior Rangers for the past five years each summer in environmental projects.

3.15 Specific Activities to be implemented in Vandorf Woodlot

ACTIVITY 1. Improve trail base using limestone screenings (260 m) and construct 650 m of new official trail. Use cedar rail fencing along paths to deter development of unofficial trails where appropriate. 2. Install one notice board in the Vandorf Woodlot near the location of the old Lloyd sawmill

CURRENT STATUS Trails have been upgraded as specified, fencing has not been implemented.

3. Plant approximately 6,000 trees among M-1, M-2 and M-3 and 500 tree seedlings in P-2 to increase forest cover.

Town Nursery planted on section M2. Planting M3 & M1 to be scheduled with annual neighborhood network planting.

4. Select removal of trees to thin stands W-2 and W-5 as shown to encourage growth of established trees, forest regeneration, promote a sustainable presence of large, healthy trees and conserve uncommon and ‘At Risk’ species.

Thinning of wood lot has not been implemented.

5. Design, produce and install signs for selfguided nature trail

Signage has not been implemented.

Notice sign has not been implemented, currently scheduled for 2015.

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6. Work with the Ministry of Natural Resources to evaluate potential improvements required for fish passage at the old dam on the Holland River.

Not implemented.

3.16 Specific Activities to be implemented in Case Woodlot

ACTIVITY 1. Mitigate erosion and sediment transport issues through development of a sediment and erosion control plan. 2. Remove yard waste and encourage no dumping of yard waste through signage and a letter mailing to neighbouring landowners. 3. Improve trail base using limestone screenings. 1 km (Map 4). 4. Enter into discussions with the owner of the 10 hectare property located adjacent to the Town owned portion of the Case Woodlot to present forest-use issues and to potentially acquire the property for inclusion in the Town’s park system. 5. Upgrade the 30 meter long boardwalk

CURRENT STATUS Cause of erosion and sedimentation have been resolved with the retrofit of the adjacent storm water management facility. Yard waste has been removed and offending neighbors were notified. Ongoing monitoring by staff as required. All official trails have been upgraded with wood chip surface as an alternative to limestone. Property was acquired in 2012 by the Town of Aurora.

Boardwalk has been improved to ORTA satisfaction.

4.0 PLANNING THE URBAN FOREST 4.1 Design Philosophy Trees are indispensable not only for their intrinsic beauty and capacity to improve air quality, provide shade, and screen visual clutter, and mitigate winds, but also for their ability to unify the Town as a spatial structure, to provide coherence and a sense of wellbeing. Trees are recognized as an essential part of the infrastructure of the Town and not merely as a decoration or embellishment. Would Aurora be the same without our urban forest? Would our residents want to live here without the presence of the urban forest, regardless of whether or not good roads, clean water and electricity were provided? In the past the Town of Aurora has followed a street scape design-philosophy typical of other North American centres where limited species of trees have been used on the majority of streets and avenues. In most cases residential streets were planted more densely and consistently than the streets in commercial and industrial areas. As is also typical of other towns and cities, the greatest diversity of tree species is found in residential areas. For the most part, this philosophy and aesthetic practice, imported mostly from Great Britain, Ireland and Europe has served us reasonably well. Norway maple, Ash, Linden and Locust tend to dominate the urban forest in Aurora. Emerald Ash Borer is one of the greatest challenges to the health of urban forests in North America since the arrival of Dutch Elm disease

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decades ago. This invasive insect threatens all Ash species and without human intervention the entire tree species will be wiped from the landscape in a matter of a few years. The introduction of this insect and several other known pests were a game changer for the urban landscape design industry. One can look back, criticize the monocultures of species that were planted in the late 1950s, 60s, and 70s across North America, but in fact these were, and in some cases still are, the species of tree most suited to planting in our cities. To his credit, our former Parks Manager Norman Weller avoided the extensive plantings or grouping of same species trees on municipal boulevards and parks due to concerns that one day an outbreak of disease or pest infestation with a preference for same species trees would threaten much of the urban tree population. Norm was way ahead of his time in his beliefs but time has proven that he was correct in his tree planting philosophy. Since the mid-1980s efforts have been made to diversify the tree species used on street boulevards and in parks, so that no one disease or pest can threaten so much of the urban tree population. As in any other city or twon, trees are planted in Aurora for their ability to create useful, beautiful and meaningful outdoor space. Attention is given to the fact that tree planting within the Town plays an important functional role. Tree planting and landscape design in the urban context should not be interpreted as an act of decorating spaces, but rather as creating spaces using the architecture of trees. The urban forester, the landscape architect and others who are directly involved with tree planting and design think of trees as the raw material for building space, much like bricks and mortar. In fact, trees often outlive buildings and hard infrastructure, and over time have a far greater impact on the way urban space is used, modified and perceived. Applying the principles of shelterbelt planting, used by farmers to reduce wind velocity and soil erosion and trap snow for moisture, is worthy of consideration during the design process. Modified, this planting technique can be applied as a general approach throughout the Town along major corridors and within parks and would provide a unifying element and mitigate against harsh environmental conditions. In Trees in Urban Design, the definitive text on the design of the urban forest, Henry F. Arnold outlines several important design characteristics of tree use: •

• •

In each view, a discrete pattern or rhythm is discernible flowing from the arrangement, spacing and structure of trees, expressing the particular site. Each landscape conveys a scale that is sympathetic to the movement and perception of pedestrians. Trees are related to their surroundings sometimes by bold geometry and sometimes by subtle rhythms. In each case, there is a consistency between tree pattern and the surrounding order The ground surface, whether flat or undulating, is visually unobstructed to permit a clear expression of trees rising out of the ground. This clarity is amplified when there is a crisp, smooth ground surface Trees modulate space vertically to create a ceiling with great variability in transparency and height

4.2 Design Guidelines Selecting tree species suitable for the site and for the spatial/functional/aesthetic goals of the planting plan is an important design consideration. Conditions specific to each site must be considered including the presence of road salts, irrigation, wind, soil condition (compaction/drainage/fertility), spatial limitations, snow removal/storage and pedestrian use. A detailed list of tree species and their suitability for various site types are referenced in Appendix 1, Policy “A" Landscape Design Guidelines. Tree species must be selected based on the Hardiness Zones of Ontario. Some trees are very hardy and can survive almost anywhere; others can only live within certain temperature or humidity ranges. Plant hardiness is based on three factors: temperature, availability of water, and soil conditions. Of these, temperature is by far the greatest factor. Most tree selection reference catalogues include information related to hardiness characteristics and categorize trees within these hardiness zones.

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Hardiness Zones of Ontario

Aurora falls within Zone 5b and therefore trees should be selected which are hardy within this zone. However, trees not generally considered hardy in this zone may be tried where the micro-climate is favourable. The process of sourcing tree stock must also consider tree hardiness zones. Tree nursery stock grown in the interior of British Columbia (Zone 6b) is not a suitable source for trees in Aurora. Locally grown native trees such as Sugar Maple, Bitter Nut Hickory, Red Maple, Kentucky Coffee tree or those adapted to this climatic zone should be planted. Master plans and planning documents should be constructed and consulted to ensure that all plantings not only enhance the existing built environment, but also do not compromise future development. Although generally not suitable as street trees, the importance of coniferous trees cannot be overemphasized. Their persistent colour and foliage and also their superior ability to act as a wind barrier and provide wildlife a habitat are indispensable. It has been shown that coniferous tree plantings at the northwest corner of buildings can reduce wind speed during winter and reduce heating costs. Other desirable characteristics for tree selection with respect to adding winter interest are the persistence of fruits/seeds; bark colour/texture and branching form. Winters are long, but summers can be quite hot. For this reason it is important to plant shade trees in public open spaces. Shade produced by deciduous tree plantings on the south side of buildings can reduce air conditioning costs, while still allowing sunshine to penetrate through the branches in the winter months. Experiencing wildlife first hand is preferable to learning about it through television or books. Plantings for wildlife are considered in locations where such habitats will not be compromised by future human developments. Food, water, shelter and space are essential considerations when designing for habitat. Aurora's urban forest can provide shelter and sustenance for several animal species, especially birds. Trees and shrubs that retain their fruit throughout the winter can be an important source of food. The density of shrub branching habits and coniferous plantings provides a protective cover for all species throughout the seasonal and reproductive cycles. 4.3 The Criteria for Reviewing Landscape Design It is impossible to create a landscape design without first clearly enunciating the criteria that should govern landscape development. The following criteria express the philosophy and beliefs that should guide the landscape design process.

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• • • • • • • • • • • •

Public open space shall be designed with an integrated vision that incorporates public safety and security into the landscape design elements The landscape design shall adhere to other related regulators The functional relationship of the landscape design to the existing and proposed land uses shall be resolved with a view to maximizing social benefits and maintaining environmental integrity The selection of trees shall encompass the basic principles of design such as line, form, diversity, scale, colour, unity and balance Consideration shall be given not only to the capital costs of the landscape design but also to the level of maintenance required to sustain it The satisfaction of human needs including recreational, social, perceptual and educational shall be a prime consideration in designing public open space The proposed landscape development shall be suitable to the site and the existing and future uses of the adjacent land The principles of conservation shall be applied to the landscape design including the reduction of water use, CO2 emissions, chemical pesticides and fertilizers The landscape design shall facilitate public access and circulation and to the extent possible attempt to accommodate persons having cognitive or mobility constraints Preservation of the natural environment and biological ecosystems shall be promoted in the design of public open space Whenever possible the landscape design shall facilitate winter use of the open space Based on the above landscape design criteria, the Parks and Recreation Department has developed design standards for the urban forest and to guide the land development process of public open space. These standards can be found in Appendix 1, Policy “A" Landscape Design Guidelines.

4.4 Design Standards Appendix 1, Policy “A" Landscape Design Guidelines contains policies, guidelines and standards for the design of all aspects of the urban forest. These include: •

Landscape and Buffer Regulations that outline the requirements for landscaping including minimum acceptable tree size and the tree canopy (deciduous) for landscaping on all sites for new buildings and land uses

•

Design Criteria including criteria for tree planting with respect to: Buffer Strips, Public Walkways, Traffic Islands, Boulevards, Parks and Storm Water Management areas, Municipal Reserves

•

Guidelines with respect to Plant Materials for public recreational open space: the minimum crown cover to be provided by a balanced mix of shade trees, evergreen trees, ornamental trees and shrubs; and the size of trees to be used in areas of concentrated pedestrian traffic or play activity points

•

Compensation policy for trees and vegetation that are removed or lost from private lands as a result of development or construction

5.0 THE TREE PLANTING PROGRAM A program for planting trees on public land and replacing trees that die or that must be removed due to other problems is essential to achieve the maximum benefits of the urban forest. Planting trees involves establishing planting priorities, scheduling workers, contractors, and arranging for equipment. The species and size of trees most suitable to the location must be determined. Proper planting methods are essential to tree survival. The planting of trees also requires coordination with other municipal departments and outside utility agencies to prevent conflicts with utilities and roadways. Effective coordination begins in the planning phase and continues through planting and maintenance. 5.1 Planting Levels The Town of Aurora plants trees along newly developed streets that have not been previously planted. These trees are additions to the current street tree inventory. The Town also replaces trees that have been removed over the years as a result of disease, accident or vandalism.

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The Table below outlines trees that have been planted in Aurora over the past five years 2009 to 2014.

Method of planting

Type of Plant material planted

Location planted

Quantity planted

Developer Contractor

Street Trees

2C Development Area

727

Town of Aurora Contractor

Street Trees

Wellington Street East

288

Town Staff

Street Tree Replacement Planting

Various streets

Community Volunteer Groups

Seedling Trees

Municipal Open Space

2000

Town Staff

Deciduous whips

Town Nursery Sites

700

1230

In addition to planting trees on public lands the recently completed Urban Forest Study found that; “The greatest opportunity to increase canopy cover through tree planting efforts is also found in the residential areas; approximately 32 per cent of the total area available for additional tree establishment is located in the residential land use category.” The study further suggested that the Town consider taking an active role in advocating for an increase in canopy cover for the Town and in particular planting on private lands should be actively pursued through currently available programs such as the Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests (LEAF) back yard tree planting program. The LEAF Program is currently available to Aurora property owners through a partnership with the Region of York whereby property owners can receive subsidized tree planting services. Staff will be exploring further opportunities to expand the program in Aurora. There are several different scenarios of planting trees on municipal lands currently being utilized by the Parks and Recreation Department as follows; • • • •

Planting of trees in house by Parks Division staff Planting of trees by outside contractors Planting of trees by community volunteers Planting of trees by land developers in new subdivisions

In all cases the Parks Division takes an active role in each of the above noted scenarios to ensure that the appropriate plant material is being planted in the appropriate location and also that the correct planting and site preparation procedures are being followed. Town staff supervise and guide all planting projects from the initial planting of the trees to ongoing monitoring and assessing the trees future needs following the establishment of the tree. Staff have determined through from many years of experience that there is value to the municipality in the current manner in which trees are planted using the aforementioned scenarios as there are a number of influencing factors that must be considered in all types of planting projects. However the most important aspect above all else is that the Parks and Recreation Department must remain deeply involved in all planting projects to ensure that the high standards and practices that have been developed over many years will not be compromised.

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5.2 Master Municipal Tree Planting Plan As outlined in the preceding paragraphs, planting of trees in the municipality has been primarily based on replacing trees that have been destroyed as a result of motor vehicle incidents, replacing trees that died from natural and environmental causes, planting trees in new developments and special one-time projects or initiatives. Development of a formal Master Tree Planting Plan (MTPP) will greatly improve the planning process associated with tree planting and maximize all available opportunities for getting additional trees in the ground on municipal boulevards and in our parks system. The MTPP will consist of a master list of tree species and the planting locations that can be summarized to prioritize resources and develop well-grounded annual budget requests. It is recommended that the MTPP be reviewed and updated in conjunction with the Tree Inventory update once every six years. 5.3 Species Diversity Recommendation 5 in Appendix UFMS (Urban Forest Management Study), advises that The Town should work toward the goal of establishing a much more diverse tree population in which no species represents more than five per cent of the tree population, no genus represents more than 10 per cent of the tree population, and no family represents more than 20 per cent of the intensively managed tree population both municipal-wide and at the neighbourhood level this includes both public and private trees. In response to this recommendation the Town has developed a diversified tree species list that shall be used in the selection of a more diversified tree species on boulevards and in parks (See Appendix 2, Policy “B” Tree Planting and Approved Plant List). It is important to note that the composition of the existing urban forest that was established throughout the mid1970s through the mid-1980s cannot be easily modified. Application of the guideline Policy “B” Tree Planting and Approved Plant List has had an immediate impact on residential development projects or subdivision plantings and over a period of subsequent years on replacement plantings in existing sites. 5.4 Plant Material To create the ultimate control of the longevity and health of a tree, plantings must be chosen which are tolerant to the local growing conditions. The investment in installation and several years of care far exceed the cost of the tree. It makes no sense therefore to install a genetically inferior specimen. Trees must be chosen that are: • Tolerant to local growing conditions (weather and soil) and urban environmental conditions • Less susceptible to local tree diseases and insect pests • As a minimum, all plant material must be nursery grown and meet the specifications set out in the latest Guide Specifications for Nursery Stock prepared by the Canadian Nursery Trade Association (C.N.T.A.) and the International Society of Arboriculture (I.S.A.) for size, height, spread, grading, quality and method of cultivation • Propagated and grown from seedling stock and plant material within zone 5a or hardier. The only exceptions to this requirement are those trees identified in Appendix 2, Policy “B” Tree Planting and Approved Plant List. 5.5. The Town Nursery The Town of Aurora operates three tree nursery sites, Site 1 is located on Industrial Parkway South adjacent to the Community Garden, Site 2 is located on Englehard Drive and Site 3 is located on Edward Street on the former Jack Wood Property. The purpose of these nurseries is to provide the Town with a source of plant material to supplement the Parks and Recreation Department’s annual tree planting programs and to offset the impacts associated with the loss of our Ash tree inventory due to Emerald Ash Borer. The tree nurseries were established in 2013-14 and a total of 1,500 deciduous trees were planted. Nursery stock consists of young saplings or line out stock approximately 2 meters in height and will remain in the nursery for 810 years depending on growth rates. During this time the nursery will be maintained to control unwanted vegetation and trees will be pruned as required to establish proper structure and branching.

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6.0 THE TREE MAINTENANCE AND PROTECTION PROGRAMS Timely proper tree maintenance is the key to a healthy and well managed urban forest. Tree maintenance includes pruning, watering, fertilizing, tree removal, damage clean-up and disease and insect control. An effective tree maintenance program must have the capacity to prune all public street trees on a regular cycle and be able to respond to emergency and potential safety hazards in a timely manner. 6.1 The Systematic Tree Pruning Program Trees are pruned for several different reasons: • • • •

To maintain tree health and vigor To reduce safety hazards to people or property To remove limbs that obstruct traffic signs, sidewalks or sightlines To improve tree structure and growth characteristics

Ground crews prune small trees, while medium to large trees are pruned with aerial lift. Pruning cycles vary according to tree type. Block pruning is the orderly pattern or scheduling of tree pruning. The Town of Aurora has practiced a systematic block pruning program for the past 30 years. The Town is currently on a 4 to 5 year cycle for trees under 9 meters in height or recently established street trees to ensure good tree form and structure. All other trees over 9 meters in height are periodically inspected and pruning is scheduled as required based on the following; • • • •

Specific information contained in the Tree Inventory data base Defects observed during visual inspection Defects observed by residents or public Acton required as a result of a weather related event

Since the year 2010 the Parks Division has turned to the private arboriculture industry to supplement in house resource in the block pruning of our under mature urban forest industry. This was required due to residential growth in the municipality and the increase of our street tree inventory whereby current staffing levels could not respond to pruning cycle needs. Once again, supplementing Town staff with outside contractors proved to be the most efficient manner in which to achieve the desired results in meeting the operational needs while at the same time being able to monitor the work of the contractor to ensure the adherence to contract specifications. Each year approximately 3000 trees are pruned. The following are the benefits of systematic pruning. •

Cost Savings Block pruning enables trees to be pruned in a planned systematic fashion. Crew efficiency and productivity are significantly increased because work operations can be performed more effectively and residents can be advised in advance on the streets being targeted for tree pruning. The cost savings and overall health condition of the urban forest that result from a systematic pruning program can also be considerable over the long term. This is based on labour saving efficiencies and fewer large pruning wounds that result from removing large tree branches in an effort to correct tree form due to long lapses in pruning cycles. Additional cost savings are also realized since systematic pruning reduces the number of reactive emergency evening and week-end call outs and related overtime.

•

Reduced Requests for Service Systematic pruning reduces the number of service requests from the public because the trees have fewer dead, broken and other types of hazardous limbs.

•

Improved Safety and Decreased Liability Citizen safety is a prime consideration for systematic pruning. Pruning on a 4 to 5 year cycle reduces the possibility of dead or hazardous wood developing in trees. Systematically pruning for sightlines, traffic signs, pedestrians and vehicles result in lower risks, fewer accidents and damages. A systematic pruning program decreases the Town's exposure to liability by reducing the hazardous conditions that could result in bodily injury or property damage.

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•

Reduced Insect and Disease Problems Systematic pruning is an important aspect of our Integrated Pest Management Program. The number of potential disease and insect problems are reduced because less deadwood will exist, air flow improved and as a result trees will be healthier and less susceptible to pest infestations

•

Increased Property Values Property values are increased by healthy, well-cared for trees. Trees on the property to be sold, as well as adjacent street and neighbourhood trees are considered a definite selling point and add value to the property

•

Enhanced Public Image The public image of Aurora is enhanced by a well-cared for urban forest

•

Employee pride and staff morale is affected by the Towns overall approach to tree care. Employees respond favourably to an organized, systematic approach that produces positive results. Systematic pruning also allows attainable production objectives to be set and crew performance to be evaluated and recognized.

6.2 Pruning Guidelines and Standards Trees shall be pruned according to the International Society of Arboriculture "Tree Pruning Guidelines” and the National Arborist Pruning Standards. And the following; • • •

All trees adjacent to pedestrian sidewalks shall be pruned to maintain a minimum 3 meter of clearance from grade level to the first scaffold limb. When pruning trees with foliage “off” consideration must be given for additional pruning height to accommodate for foliage “on” conditions All trees adjacent to travelled road shall be pruned to maintain a minimum of 4 meters of clearance above the curb to the first scaffold branch Trees will be pruned using the collar cut method of pruning. Flush cuts are not permitted (please see Appendix 3, Policy “C” Tree Removal, Pruning and Compensation fig.1

6.3 Priority Maintenance Maintenance needs shall be categorized and prioritized as follows: 1) Emergency Work

Trees that pose a safety hazard that could result in bodily injury or property damage. This includes any tree that is split, down, has broken or hanging limbs, or is obstructing a traffic sign (stop, yield, etc.). Response time – The goal is to respond to an emergency tree situation as soon as possible depending on the availability of staff and resources and the magnitude of the problem. While the expectation is that staff would respond to an emergency situation as soon as they become aware of it, this may not always be possible. For example, if the request for service occurs after hours or on weekends, it may take time to locate staff to respond to the situation. After a major storm has struck the town there could be several emergency situations at the same time. In these situations a prioritized approach will be taken and staff would respond to life threatening situations first. Appendix 5, Policy “E” Emergency Tree Response Plan describes the criteria for prioritizing work assignments as a result of a storm.

2) Priority Prune

Trees receiving this rating have the potential of becoming safety hazards if not corrected in the near future. Included is man-made damage, broken or hanging branches, obstructing sightlines, sidewalks, pedestrians, interference with overhead wires, sign obstruction, (no parking, etc.) or trees with over 30 per cent deadwood. Tree diseases or insects that do not pose an immediate threat would also be included in this category. Response time - trees in this rating should be responded to within one week.

3) Regular Prune

Trees in this rating have minor dead or dying branches or other incipient problems that are judged not to need immediate maintenance attention and pose little threat of becoming serious problems before their next regular pruning cycle. Response time - trees in this rating should be pruned during their next regular pruning cycle.

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4) Tree Removals

Trees designated for removal have one or more defects that cannot be practically treated and may be cost prohibitive. These trees fall into four categories: i) Trees that are structurally damaged and weakened and pose a threat to public safety or property ii) Smaller trees (0 - 6 inches DBH) that have died as a result of transplant shock, vandalism, poor cultural practices, or other causes iii) Trees infected with a disease or insect that have deteriorated to the point that they are a hazard or contribute to the spread of infestation iv) Trees removed to accommodate civic and private development projects

6.4 Tree Removal Eventually all trees in the urban forest will have to be removed due to old age, deterioration or as a result of changes to the landscape. Hazardous trees must be removed immediately to protect the public from dangerous conditions. Similarly infected trees must be removed to prevent the spread of disease. Lastly, some trees are approved for removal to accommodate civic or private development projects. Appendix 3 Policy “C” Tree Removal, Pruning & Compensation provides a detailed description of the process for removing trees on public property including the method of notification for removal, the notice period, who is responsible for removing the tree and the course of action to follow within a specified time. 6.5 Tree Protection A healthy urban forest is the principal goal of the forestry program. Preservation of the Town existing tree canopy is essential to this goal. Without guidelines to protect trees during construction work, and maintenance activities their survival would be threatened. All activities around both private and public trees should be carried out with the aim of protecting trees against unintentional damage from equipment. This includes damage to the roots and root zone, branches or the bark of trees. Construction damage is thought to be the number one cause of premature tree mortality in urban centres. While modifying the urban environment through building, renovating and removal of physical and landscape features is ongoing, a proactive approach to managing construction activities around trees is essential for preserving Aurora's tree assets and minimizing the liability risks. Because decisions about construction projects are made in the planning and design phases, it is critical that tree preservation continues to be included in these discussions. All information on tree protection and preservation can be found in Appendix 4, Policy D Tree Protection/Preservation. 6.6 Tree Compensation Compensation measures for trees lost due to land development such as site plans, plan of subdivision and proposed tree removals through Minor Variance approvals. Appendix 3, Policy “C” Tree Removal, Pruning & Compensation provides a detailed description of tree Compensation and how it applies. 6.7 Heritage Trees There is a need for Aurora to recognize and protect its Heritage trees. Appendix 7, Policy “G” Heritage Trees outlines the procedure to be followed in designating, cataloguing and preserving the heritage trees of Aurora. 6.8 Storm Response Storms can have a major impact on the urban forest as witnessed during the ice storm of 2013. High velocity wind, hail and ice storms can break branches, uproot trees and threaten citizen safety and property. Downed trees can pose a hazard to traffic movement through the town and obstruct emergency vehicle access to injured people. Through proper planning and preparation a municipality can mitigate or minimize the damage caused by severe storms. Careful species selection and location of trees together with proper planting and maintenance activities will better enable trees to withstand the severity of a storm's impact. A storm response plan will enable the Town to mobilize its resources rapidly and efficiently in response to a severe storm. The three action phases of a storm response plan are: 1) Preparation - planning and early warning activities. This includes establishing equipment lists, call-out procedures and a pre-planning meeting to coordinate the overall response to a storm. An effective early warning system for impending severe storms is essential. The lead time gained before a severe storm strikes is crucial

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for mobilizing staff and resources. Information on when a severe storm may strike and the magnitude of the storm can be obtained from Environment Canada's Atmospheric Environment Program. 2) Response - immediate activity prior to and after a severe storm. Roles and responsibilities for all staff involved in the storm response should be clearly defined. A process for receiving and responding to public requests for service should be established. Response priorities (i.e.: life threatening situations, trees blocking arterial streets and general clean-up) for responding to public requests for service should be prioritized. 3) Recovery - activities to return the damaged areas to pre-storm conditions. Included in this phase are damage assessment and replacement of damaged trees after a storm. Appendix 5, Policy “E” Emergency Tree Response Plan provides a comprehensive action plan for responding to storm damage to the urban forest. The plan provides an early warning system for forecasting the magnitude of storms. It establishes procedures and mechanisms for coordinating the storm response and prioritizes the cleanup priorities. 7.0 HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS Maintenance of the urban forest often involves danger to personnel. Sharp cutting instruments, power equipment, above ground work in trees and heavy lifting are often required and sometimes carried out near vehicular traffic. Following proper safety procedures will protect the health and safety of our work crews and reduce potential liability problems for the Town. In order to provide for the safety of our employees, safety requirements are necessary for those engaged in pruning, trimming, repairing and removing trees and cutting brush on public land. Appendix 6, Policy “F” Health and Safety Training Requirements describes the responsibilities, the process and the safety requirements for employees involved in tree care. 8.0 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM) The goal of Integrated Pest Management is to proactively manage tree diseases and insect pests by utilizing the safest, most economical and effective combination of cultural, biological, genetic and chemical control methods. The emphasis is on "integrated" whereby the treatment strategies are focused on specific tree diseases or insect pests while preserving the integrity of the landscape ecosystem. While IPM does not preclude the use of chemicals, it operates on the premise that if all other aspects of the control program are implemented successfully the usage of chemicals should be minimized. The main activities of the program are monitoring, data collection and sampling, assessment, treatment and public education and awareness. There is a need for threshold indicators for tree diseases and insect pests that will indicate when a corrective action is required such as: 1. pruning; 2. non-chemical control measures; 3. tree removal 4. Chemical spraying if necessary. Without threshold indicators it is difficult to rationalize when Integrated Pest Management should or should not spray or when additional funds may be required for spraying. Some cities and towns have established threshold indicators for tree diseases and insect pests relevant to their cities. Threshold indicators establish various infestation levels for those tree diseases and insect pests common to the GTA. These threshold indicators may be used to determine when a certain level of Integrated Pest Management should or should not be implemented and when it may be necessary to seek additional funds to prevent or control a possible or current infestation. 8.1 Statutory Authority The Pesticides Act and Ontario Regulation 63/09 govern the sale, use, distribution and handling of pesticides in Ontario. Every substance that is registered under The Pest Control Products Act (Canada) is covered by the Act. The Pesticide Act and Reg.63/09 are administered by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) may declare any animal, insect, or disease to be a "pest" if it is considered destructive or dangerous to crops, grain, livestock or other property. Currently the CFIA have declared two invasive insects a threat to urban forests in Ontario, The Emerald Ash Borer and the Asian Long Horned Beatle.

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CFIA has imposed a ban on the movement of wood and other forest products throughout much of southern and Central Ontario due to the wide spread presence of these pests. 8.2 Non-Chemical Control Measures The following cultural practices are utilized operationally to the maximum extent possible to control diseases and insect pests. IPM can identify problems in these areas and make recommendations for their correction in relation to controlling tree diseases and insect pests as follows; i) Site Preparation Top on the list of tree health related factors is the quality of the planting site. Tree heath is directly related to the soil in which the tree is grown and has the most significant effect on the trees future viability and performance. Not enough attention has been paid to soils when planting trees, resulting in poor tree health, such that trees are often in a weakened state and vulnerable to pest and disease infestation and a subsequent death. Aurora soils are notoriously heavy-clay based and very often disturbed by construction activities in new development areas where top soil is stripped from the land, stockpiled then returned to a tree planting site. This has a devastating and often permanent effect on the soil quality and profile and makes the soil unsuitable for tree planting. The following conditions have been found in almost all planting sites where soils have been stripped: • • • • • •

Loss of humus organic matter Loss of soil micro biology Loss of drainage Loss of fertility Contaminated with sub soil and heavy clays Diminished soil depths

In consideration of the above, tree planting sites are required to conform to a standard specification and criteria as outlined in Appendix 1, Policy “A” Landscape Design Guidelines. ii) Tree Vigor Maintaining tree vigor through fertilization, irrigation, pruning and pest management not only enhances the appearance of trees, but also promotes a healthy tree that is less susceptible to infection. For this reason the most effective insect and disease control measure involves keeping trees in optimum health. iii) Species Selection Species and cultivars should be selected based on their suitability to the site and proven resistance to local tree diseases and insect pests. iv) Species Diversity From the perspective of the long-term health and appearance of the urban forest, maintaining a diversity of tree species and ages is vital. A diverse urban forest, like a natural ecosystem, is likely to be more stable than a simple one. With change occurring gradually as trees die and are replaced. Monocultures create unfavourable conditions. Some species such as Elms and now Ash are threatened by virulent diseases like Dutch Elm disease and Emerald Ash Borer. For instance, a large grouping of Ash trees in a single location has led to the rapid spread of EAB in most GTA municipalities. Diversification provides insurance against this kind of wholesale defoliation of the forest cover that is currently taking place in many GTA centres. v) Block Pruning Systematic block pruning of trees has a definite positive effect toward reducing many insect and disease problems in the urban forest. Pruning on a periodic basis will open the canopy, reduce the amount of weak and dead wood on trees and eliminate crossing or rubbing branches. There will be fewer entry wounds and broken branches which are breeding sites for insects and diseases. vi) Rotation Planting Rotation planting is similar to crop rotation in agriculture. When an infected tree is removed the replacement species should not be susceptible to the same problem. The rationale being that the particular insect or disease that infected the previous tree could still be present after the tree is removed. vii) Remove and Replace All alternative measures of control including pesticides will be explored before removing and replacing a tree.

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viii) Inspection of Plant Materials at their place of origin Inspecting plant material at the source of supply and prior to trees being imported into the Town applies to in house tree planting as well as trees being planted by outside contractors. Most people are aware that EAB can be transported and spread through the transportation of Ash wood products and materials. However, other tree species may also carry disease and insect populations. This includes fire blight, black-knot, gypsy moths, beetles and eggs which can quickly become established under the right conditions. Discovering plant materials that are infected before they are planted prevents the disease from spreading through the urban forest and reduces maintenance costs due to mortality. ix) Sanitation Sanitation which involves removing infected, dead and fallen branches and leaves in many cases can effectively eliminate or destroy the breeding refuge of various insects and diseases. x) Alternative Pest Control Measures Not all insects are harmful and require control measures. In many cases the presence of insect populations may be beneficial. Insect species that prey on other insect populations are a natural form of control. The control of insect populations by natural enemies can be effective, long-lasting, economical and less disruptive on the ecosystem than some control products. Birds are another form of natural control. Some species will feed on large numbers of insects. To assist in increasing the number of beneficial bird populations, bird houses have been placed at various locations throughout the Town. Houses have been placed for American Kestrel, Bank Swallows and Purple Martins. In addition, bats feed heavily on flying insects. xi) Monitoring Diseases and Insect Pests The Region of York has assisted in monitoring insect population levels in the Town of Aurora. The monitoring program determines if insect populations or diseases are increasing, decreasing or remaining constant. This enabled the Town to predict the timing and tracking of EAB and to identify the areas of the Town which had higher levels of infestation and determine the appropriate control measures. These areas are then targeted for control strategies which may include tree spraying with biological, cultural or chemical control products. In some cases the monitoring programs acts as the control program. Pheromone or synthetic scent lures attached to sticky traps will attract and catch insect pests. In the case of emerald ash borers, a biological control is being used to target or attack insect pests in the tree. xii) Infill Planting As is currently the case with Ash trees that were not deemed worthy of treatment, these trees are being removed and replaced with trees of a different species. Alternative tree species such as Locust, Linden, Buckeye and Maple are among the trees now planted to reduce the dependence on Ash. xiii) Public Awareness & Education Both the Town of Aurora and the Region of York have taken a proactive position in fostering public awareness and educational programs in the form of public open house information meetings, news media releases, local newspaper articles, Council reports and information posted on our web sites. Release of information in the above noted fashion appears to have made some impact as the Parks Division takes a substantial number of phone calls requesting information on the care and control of insect pests and tree diseases. 9.0 PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INVOLVEMENT As noted in the recently completed Urban Forest Study, trees that grow on private land comprise the majority of Aurora’s urban forest canopy. The study further notes that the largest potential for expanding the urban canopy is on private lands. As such it is possible that the actions of individual property owners could collectively have a significant impact on the privately owned trees in Aurora. The Towns Tree Protection By-law does have measures that can be applied to control the cutting and destruction of trees however there is nothing that compels or requires owners of private trees to proactively care for their trees or plant new trees. The cooperation and involvement of the public is vital to the success of any urban forest strategy. Educational and participatory programs are an investment in the long-term vitality of our urban forest, since a tree educated public results in a

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healthier forest. The following programs and special events are offered by the Town of Aurora to encourage public awareness and participation in enhancing and preserving the Towns urban forest. 9.1 Current Public Programs 1) Adopt-A-Park The program provides an opportunity for citizens to enhance the quality of public green space in Aurora by volunteering their time to do light maintenance tasks, tree and shrub plantings and other environmental initiatives. 2) Memorial Tree Program The program provides individuals, groups and organizations the opportunity to purchase trees for planting in public open space in remembrance, observance or acknowledgement of a special event such as birth, marriage, anniversary or bereavement. Appendix “8”, Policy H, The Memorial Tree Program encourages public involvement in enhancing the urban forest by purchasing trees from the Town for planting in parks and open space locations. 3) Public Requests for Boulevard Trees Each year the Town receives approximately 10-15 requests from the public to plant boulevard trees. Where possible the Town attempts to accommodate these requests and include them in their annual tree planting schedule. 4) Welcome your New Tree All home owners receiving a newly planted tree on the boulevard adjacent to their home receives a brochure and tips on how to properly care for their town tree. This important information is very useful to the home owner in that it lets people know they have a stake in the tree and helps to improve the establishment of a healthy and vigorous street tree. 9.2 Educational Programs and Services 1) Neighborhood Network Spring Tree Planting Program Neighborhood Network partners with the Town and the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority each spring in the planting of approximately 400 seedling trees on Town owned lands. This has been a very successful program which has seen more than 2,500 new trees being planted since the program began. 2) School Yard Naturalization The Parks Division continues to conduct School Yard Naturalization partnership projects with both boards of education and their primary students. Project materials and supplies are funded by the individual schools. Parks Division staff provide the educational content for the students and some of the site expertise to complete their project. 3) Aurora Community Arboretum (ACA) Although the Aurora Community Arboretum is not considered a direct municipal program, the Arboretum is most certainly linked to the Town of Aurora by virtue of the arboretum being both located on Town owned lands and largely funded by the municipality. The ACA operates under an Adopt A Park Agreement and receives much support from the Towns Parks and Recreation Department in the form of land preparation for tree planting, ongoing maintenance of tree planting sites and P&R acts as a constant liaison working with the ACA on all aspects of their programing needs. 4) Invasive Pest Information The Town of Aurora made available for public distribution information on the Emerald Ash Borer and its presence in Aurora including information on the Towns EAB management strategy. 5) Home Show Town of Aurora representatives provide a display at the Home Show that includes tree related brochures and information regarding the EAB Management Strategy. 6) Pruning Schedule Town of Aurora Notice Board information page advertisements run throughout the fall and winter each year to indicate which areas of the Town are being block pruned. The advertisement includes information on the purpose of pruning street trees.

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7) Tree Information Brochure A brochure is available to the public. The brochure contains the answers to questions frequently asked by the public such as getting a street tree planted on their boulevard or how to have their tree pruned and keeping a tree healthy. While the above programs and services may be offered in any given year the emphasis may vary depending on budget constraints and need. A more educated and aware public will result in greater support for urban forest programs. Since the majority of the urban forest is privately owned, public support is crucial for promoting a healthy and sustainable urban forest. 10.0 STAFF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT An important consideration in maintaining a healthy urban forest is ensuring employees have the skills and knowledge needed to do their jobs. As such, training dollars are allocated to the Parks and Recreation operating budget on an annual basis for the purpose of ongoing arboriculture training initiatives which include all aspects of arboriculture practices, associated equipment and on the job health and safety. Our Certified Arborist has also obtained specialty training and certification in the Training of other Parks Division staff involved in our urban forestry maintenance operation. Arboriculture operations does present varying degrees of risk to staff who are unfamiliar with or inexperienced at a given task and the potential for lost time injuries or property damage can be expected without well trained and experienced staff. Ongoing training and supervision of workers involved in all aspects of arboriculture operations is considered paramount by supervisors and managers. The Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations states that it is the responsibility of all parties i.e. management and employees to ensure that work is being conducted safely by having fully trained and competent workers. As such, arboriculture training and the standard operation procedures that have been developed and implemented for urban forestry operations shall continue to apply and be strictly adhered to by both management and staff. Maintenance of the urban forest often involves danger to personnel. Sharp cutting instruments, power equipment, above ground work in trees and heavy lifting are often required and sometimes carried out near vehicular traffic. Following proper safety procedures will protect the health and safety of our work crews and reduce potential liability problems for the Town. In order to provide for the safety of our employees, safety requirements are necessary for those engaged in pruning, trimming, repairing and removing trees and cutting brush on public land. Appendix 6 Policy “F” Health & Safety/Training Requirements describes the responsibilities, the process and the safety requirements for employees involved in tree care. 11.0 A PLAN TO ESTABLISH, MAINTAIN, EXPAND AND SUSTAIN AURORA’S URBAN TREE CANOPY 11.1 Background and Purpose The existing tree canopy in the built areas of Aurora is due almost entirely to the citizens of Aurora, past and present who had the foresight to plant a tree in their yard or on their street boulevard. This planting continued and was augmented in later years by Town Council and the establishment of a Parks Department in 1965. Aerial photographs dating back to the late 1950s and early 60s are quite telling by the lack of tree cover when compared to aerial photos from more recent times. Fortunately it is not uncommon today for the Town and the development industry to be criticised for the loss of trees due to land development pressures as it is a testament to importance of trees in our landscape and the high regard our stakeholders have for trees, However the fact remains that the urban forest canopy in Aurora has never been higher. (Please see Table 2 Estimated Canopy Cover, page 12) As the agricultural land use began to subside in Aurora and cultivated farm lands were transformed to residential and other non-agricultural uses the urban forest began to emerge and has incrementally expanded since those earlier times. Trees that have been planted by the Town and its citizens have grown to create an urban forest that covers large areas of the Town and it is appropriate that we consider our responsibility to this asset in our municipal infrastructure. The trees within our built environment provide many healthful, functional and aesthetic benefits

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and as such it’s important to ensure that the urban forest continue to be cared for, maintained, protected, enhanced and augmented with careful consideration, ensuring that the integrity of the plantings are maintained and that the forest expands in an appropriate and meaningful manner as the Town continues to grow. The Urban Forest Study indicates that Aurora’s current tree canopy cover is among the highest of the GTA municipalities at 28%. The primary reason for this is based on the fact that Aurora has a comparably lower level of development density and large areas of both public and private open space lands, many of which are forested. Notwithstanding the above, threats to our urban forest in the form of EAB and perhaps other invasive pests will have an impact that must be dealt with through proactive urban forest management, proactive planting measures and public education. Recommendations 2 & 3 in the Urban Forest Study suggest that the Town; “Build on the results of the urban tree canopy analysis (UTC) and the priority planting index to prioritize tree planting and establishment efforts to improve the distribution of ecosystem services, including urban heat island mitigation and storm water management”. And “Increase leaf area in canopied areas by planting suitable tree and shrub species under existing tree cover. Planting efforts should continue to be focused in areas of the municipality that currently support a high proportion of ash species” In an effort to address these recommendations and to build upon our existing municipal tree planting and Urban Forestry maintenance program the following elements must be considered in establishing, maintaining, expanding and sustaining a healthy urban forest in Aurora. 11.2 Establishing the Urban Forest The urban forest is continually being established on both private and municipal lands, by land owners in the case of private lands and by the Town in the case of municipal lands. In an effort to further establish the urban forest the following strategy shall be considered; • • • • • •

Continue planting street trees in all new development areas as a requirement of the land development process Continue to plant native species trees and shrubs in storm water management facilities Continue to plant trees in various parks and open space areas in partnership with our Adopt-A- Park partners Continue to support the planting of trees in the Aurora Community Arboretum Ensure that all future urban planting sites on both private and public lands are properly prepared and suitable for the establishment of trees and shrubs Town Landscape Architects to continue to review and approve all new development applications involving the planting of trees and shrubs on both private and public lands to ensure compliance with Town Planting Standards

11.3 Maintaining The Urban Forest Maintaining the municipal urban forest is an ongoing function within the Parks and Recreation Department with a contingent of full time and part time staff dedicated to delivering this service. The Towns role in maintaining privately owned trees and forested property is limited to enforcement of the property standards by-law in the event that a hazardous tree has been identified on private lands and the owner has refused to comply with an order to mitigate the associated danger. The Town shall continue to maintain the urban forest as follows; • • • •

Continue to provide routine tree watering, fertilization and pruning needs to all newly established municipal street trees in accordance with Town specifications Continue to provide street tree pruning in accordance with the block pruning cycle Continue to conduct inspections of all municipal street trees greater than 9 meters in height as required to ensure that any hazardous or potentially dangerous conditions are mitigated as soon as possible Continue to respond to service requests from the public regarding any issues or concerns with a street tree

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• • • • • •

Proactively monitor and observe the state of health of significant landmark or heritage trees and engage appropriate Integrated Pest Management programs where required to maintain the vigor and overall health of these trees Proactively monitor and observe the municipal urban forest for evidence of pests, diseases or other threats and take the appropriate action in planning a course of action and public awareness in the form of staff reports and recommendations to municipal Council Continue to provide staff training and professional development in all aspects of urban forest maintenance Continue to implement the recommendations in the Aurora Woodlands Management Plan Develop newsletters or other informative material and tips on the merits of urban tree maintenance to educate and encourage Auroras residents to maintain their private trees Continue to replace trees that are lost or destroyed by motor vehicles, Emerald Ash Borer, extreme weather events and or other natural causes

11.4 Expanding the Urban Forest Expanding the municipal urban forest will coincide with further development in the Town, primarily in the 2C area where significant numbers of street trees, buffer plantings and Storm Water Management Pond plantings will be conditions of approval for every land owner within the planning area. These plantings, although significant, will be limited to municipal lands only. The Town shall also encourage private yard planting by pursuing the following initiatives; • • •

• • •

The Town to explore the feasibility of introducing a new cost neutral, tree planting program for private property owners by offering material to Aurora residents wishing to purchase and plant trees at wholesale prices Explore partnership programs like LEAF and the Back Yard Tree Planting Program in cooperation with the Region of York Explore the feasibility of establishing a non-tax base municipal fund for the purpose of funding private yard tree planting programs and services. Funds for this initiative could be generated from a number of sources such as environmental grants, tree removal compensation funds, tree removal permit fees/fines and partnerships with other external agencies Declare Aurora a “Tree Friendly” municipality based on the fact that Aurora has one of the highest existing canopy covers in the GTA and promote private property tree planting in all available media forums Continue annual volunteer tree planting initiatives on town owned lands in partnership with Neighborhood Network and other volunteer organizations Develop and implement a Master Tree Planting Plan for all municipal streets and parks where applicable

11.5 Sustaining the Urban Forest Sustaining the urban forest over the long term is directly linked to the proper establishment of plant material from the outset. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on one’s point of view, much can be learned from past experience. The following actions have proven to be effective in sustaining the urban forest and shall be the key criteria in sustaining Aurora’s tree canopy; • • • • • •

Continue to invest in all aspects of the Towns Arboricultural operations including tree planting, pruning, removal and integrated pest management Continue to provide sufficient financial resources in all areas of the Urban Forest Management program in concert with growth in the municipality and growth of the urban canopy Ensure that all staff involved in Arboriculture Operations receive applicable ongoing job related training and continuing education Ensure that management and supervisory staff have a clear vision and understanding of the goals, objectives and policy guidelines in the TAUFMP and conduct all arboriculture works and programs in accordance with the TAUFMP Stay abreast of new technology, threats or emerging issues in the arboriculture industry and keep the public, Council and other stakeholders informed and up to date as required and implement applicable action plans Ensure that all tree planting sites, soils and planting methods are of the highest possible quality and in strict adherence with the policies in the TAUFMP

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• •

Continue to maintain tree species diversity in all tree planting programs Implement tree removal compensation policy to prevent net loss to existing tree canopy

11.6 A Model of Urban Forest Sustainability Urban forests play a large part in the sustainability of towns and cities. Sustainability of the urban forest should be viewed as a process rather than a goal. It involves managing our urban forest in an arboricultural sound manner to meet the needs of the present without compromising the benefits for future generations. Management of a sustainable urban forest requires: a comprehensive management strategy; community support and involvement and a viable resource base. The TAUFMP contains the programs, policies, standards and guidelines which together form a comprehensive strategy for managing the urban forest. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

An inventory for planning and managing the urban forest Establishing a work order system for the purpose of scheduling work accurate record keeping and customer follow-up Species diversity requirements Species and site selection criteria A policy for purchasing plant material Standards for tree care A policy for protecting existing trees Tree planting priorities, requirements, procedures and specifications Criteria and processes for removing hazardous or infected trees or those approved for removal to accommodate development projects including compensation requirements Integrated Pest Management A storm response plan Health and Safety Training requirements for personnel involved in tree care A Master Tree Planting Strategy Cooperation and interaction among other Town departments and divisions Community support and involvement

The TAUFMP contains several programs designed to educate the public and elicit their support in preserving and enhancing the urban forest. • Participatory and educational programs and services to educate the general public and involve them in preserving and enhancing the urban forest • Protection of trees on public and private property and dealing with hazardous trees that pose a threat to the public • A Tree Donation Program to encourage public involvement in enhancing the urban forest. • A Heritage Tree Program to locate, designate, catalogue and preserve the heritage trees of Aurora 12.0 IMPLEMENTATION The final stage in the process is the development of an implementation plan to ensure that the TAUFMP is implemented, evaluated and updated in a coordinated manner. 12.1 The Policies and Procedures Manual Each of the appendices attached to the TAUFMP deals with a major program area necessary for sustaining the urban forest. The appendices have been written and formatted to serve as practical working documents to assist staff, developers and contractors involved in arboriculture works on both public and private land in their day-today operations. Together the appendices form a Policies and Procedures Manual. It is important to recognize that the standards, procedures and specifications contained in the TAUFMP should be reviewed regularly and revised as new information becomes available. 12.2 Orientation of Staff An orientation for those staff involved in caring for the urban forest is critical to the success of the strategy. The Urban Forestry Section should assume responsibility for ensuring that staff involved in tree care is familiar with the Policies and Procedures Manual.

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12.3 Distribution to Internal and External Stakeholders The Urban Forestry Section should ensure that the relevant sections of the TAUFMP are distributed to both the internal and external stakeholders impacted by the strategy. For example, the Tree Protection, Tree Removal and Safety Requirements policies should be distributed to Town staff or contractors undertaking construction work near trees on public land. The Tree Planting Priorities, Requirements, Procedures and Specifications should be distributed to other Town departments and private developers involved in approvals for landscaping and tree planting on both private and public lands. 12.4 The Implementation Plan It should be recognized that most of the activities, functions and specifications contained in the TAUFMP are not new. They have evolved and been practiced and applied for many years. The TAUFMP is actually a consolidation and update of the Town of Aurora Municipal Forestry Policy that was developed and implemented for the first time in 1997. With the passage of time, changes in arboricultural practices and more focus on the well-being of our natural environment it was necessary to revisit and update the former Forestry Policy on a number of fronts. As a result the TAUFMP is a made for Aurora policy document that now encompasses every aspect of urban forestry in the Town of Aurora and serves as a practical policy document that is based on actual arboriculture issues that Parks Division staff at all levels continue to face in carrying out their duties. In view of the above, implementing the TAUFMP is a relatively straight forward process in that most of the functions and policy related process is currently being practiced and will continue to be administered by the Parks and Recreation Department’s, Parks Division. 12.5 Monitoring and Evaluation Even a successfully implemented management strategy must be monitored to ensure that progress is being made and standards are being met. Evaluation provides the feedback necessary to determine if the plan is working. Providing for periodic evaluation as part of the management process means that problems can be identified and changes made before a crisis develops. The Parks Division shall assume responsibility for monitoring, evaluating and reporting on the plan as well as developing on-going monitoring techniques to ensure that the TAUFMP is implemented and revised when necessary based on new information. The purpose of the monitoring is to: 1) Ensure that the various components of the TAUFMP are implemented 2) Regularly review and revise the standards, procedures and specifications contained in the TAUFMP as new information or technology become available 3) Identify any conflicts or problems in the plan and take corrective action 4) Collect the information needed to conduct a formal evaluation of the Plan The TAUFMP should be annually evaluated by the Parks Division in order to: 1) Determine if the TAUFMP is meeting its stated objectives 2) Assess whether the TAUFMP is being applied consistently to other Town departments who have a role or stake in Aurora’s trees 3) Identify any changes required to the TAUFMP The following performance indicators shall be used to assess the performance of the TAUFMP; •

Pruning Cycle The Town of Aurora is currently on a 4 to 5 year pruning cycle for trees under 9 meters in height. Trees over 9 meters in height are periodically inspected and pruning is scheduled as required based on the criteria outlined in Section 6 item 6.2. Evaluation Method Adherence to the pruning cycle can be measured by maintaining work records that indicate the number of trees pruned annually in each category and the time required. Once this information is tabulated the

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average time required to prune a tree in each category can be established and this figure used to determine whether staff are on track to achieve the pruning cycle. •

Emerald Ash Borer Statistics shall be kept on the number of Ash street and park trees lost annually to EAB. This number shall be compared to the number of Ash trees that have been treated to determine the effectiveness of the treatment program. Evaluation Method This goal can be evaluated by maintaining records of whether all Ash trees in the inventory were monitored and inspected each year.

•

Species Diversity The TAUFMP establishes a preferred species diversity percentage for parks and open space and residential sites based upon the number of trees to be planted in each type of site. Evaluation Method Statistics of the number of trees and percentage of genus planted annually in each type of site shall be maintained in order to determine whether the plantings adhere to the recommended species diversity percentages.

•

Net Planting Level During the period 2009-2014 there were 3715 new trees planted in the Town of Aurora. An additional 1,230 were planted as replacement trees for trees that had died from various causes therefore the net planting increase is estimated to be about 248 trees per year. Because the total tree plantings may vary from year to year depending upon when new development projects occur, it is more realistic to consider variances in achieving the net planting level of 1,000 over a five year period. With the introduction of a private yard tree planting program it is quite conceivable that net planting levels could be increased. Evaluation Method Statistics shall be maintained of the number of trees planted and the number of trees removed each year. If the number falls below the net planting level of 1,240 over a number of years, consideration should be given to increasing the annual planting rate.

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Response Times For Pruning Priorities The TAUFMP establishes response times for responding to situations requiring emergency or priority pruning. Emergency prunes or situations that pose a threat to life or property should be responded to as soon as possible dependent upon the availability of staff and resources and the magnitude of the problem. Priority prunes or trees that have the potential to become safety hazards if not corrected should be responded to within one week. Evaluation Method Records should be kept of the number of requests each year for emergency or priority prunes and the response time (the time from when the request was received until the problem was corrected).

13.0 CONCLUSION The adoption of a comprehensive urban forest management strategy is an important event for the Town of Aurora. The TAUFMP proposes a body of programs, policies, standards, procedures and specifications designed to enable the effective management of Aurora’s urban forest. It is intended to guide managers in setting priorities and in allocating human and financial resources to achieve sustainability of the urban forest. It is important to recognize that the TAUFMP is a continual planning process and as such its standards, procedures and specifications may require change as new information becomes available. It is also important to recognize that the cooperation and commitment of other Town departments that play a role in or are effected by urban tree care, as well as the general public and the private sector, is essential to the success of the plan. Without a community commitment to preserving and enhancing our urban forest, the strategy’s goal of sustainability will not be achieved.

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Parks & Recreation Services Department, Parks Division

URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT POLICY

While municipal policies and by-laws play a role in managing and protecting the urban forest, community commitment cannot be legislated, it is more a function of public education and awareness. This represents our most serious challenge – acquiring the commitment of the general public and the private sector to protecting and enhancing Aurora’s urban forest.

END OF EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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