Blaine Pearson from Wilder Climate Solutions passed on this helpful information:
- You can tell that the tree is alive if you can see small buds forming on the stalk. Sometimes it can take some time, but if the stem looks plump and not desiccated and dried out, you should be good to go. You can also do a little test whereby you scratch the stem a little bit (be gentle--this is a bit more invasive than I'd prefer to be). If you see green, the plant is alive, but if it's dried out and brown/dead, you're probably looking at a failed tree.
- Now is the time to place mulch at the base of your sapling; this keeps the competition from weeds down. Water, water, water throughout the season until next year, when your sapling will be three. This special care and attention will ensure a well-established seeding.
Agricola Church Update
In this attached link, a neighbour who lives in the near vicinity provides an update on the development of the Agricola Church at 25 Old York Mills Road.
This community member has been integral in the efforts to modify what most in the community believe is an inappropriate and oversized build. Numerous mature trees will be destroyed, and the street's character will be forever changed with the development looming over the surrounding homes and parks. We believe flooding is also a concern.
Check out all of HHTW’s concerns here.
We have contacted Urban Forestry and the TRCA (Toronto Region Conservation Authority) for comments and clarification on their role in the approval process.
Regulating Iceberg Houses
As most of you know, HHTW was started in hopes of saving a 250 year old sugar maple at 7 Knightswood. We sadly lost that battle but HHTW was able to push forward what we hope will be a change in bylaws governing development. While fighting to protect this magnificent tree, we became aware that the proposed build was unusual; the below-ground footprint was much larger than the above-ground footprint…..an Iceberg. We worked with Councillor Jaye Robinson on this and she championed a motion Regulating Iceberg Homes in City Hall. Jaye's office asked for our help prior to last month's City Council meeting addressing the matter. We asked several stakeholders to write letters supporting the motion and HHTW presented our own letter of support and Laura Lamarche presented that live at the meeting.
Some very good news came out of this meeting. After a comprehensive multi-divisional review of issues associated with this type of build, it was agreed there should be in-depth consideration of:
- Water management(especially important in Hoggs Hollow where we have flooding issue)
- Tree destruction and health
- Soft landscaping and loss of soil permeability
- Environmental stability
the Planning and Housing Committee agreed with the concerns identified above. A final report is due late this year. City Hall does NOT move fast, but in this case, it is moving forward.
Hwy 413
Thank you to all who signed a petition or sent a letter in response to our Action Bulletin a couple of weeks ago. Great response. Thankfully, the 413 will not be running through Hoggs Hollow. Still, we felt the need to get involved because this is another example of the Provincial government reducing environmental protections and going back on their promises. Because of these far-reaching changes, we have and will continue to be impacted in the Valley. Most of Hoggs Hollow lies in a flood zone, in an area deemed environmentally sensitive, and we are in a ravine system. The safeguards that used to protect us have been largely dismantled. We have all witnessed this firsthand with the new builds going up in Hoggs Hollow.
It's not too late to sign a petition, Here is how you can get involved:
Sign a petition with Ontario Nature
Sign a petition with Environmental Defence
Like most of you, we had no idea these changes had taken place and how they would affect all of us. These three articles are quick reads and outline the changes:
Click the images below:
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