GUIDING SOLUTIONS IN THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

MARKHAM 144 Main St. North, Suite 206 Markham, ON L3P 5T3

T)905.201.7622 F)905.201.0639

BRACEBRIDGE 126 Kimberley Avenue Bracebridge, ON P1L 1Z9

T)705.645.1050 F)705.645.6639

GUELPH 337 Woolwich Street Guelph, ON N1H 3W4

T)519.826.0419 F)519.826.9306

PETERBOROUGH 469 Water Street, 2nd Floor Peterborough, ON K9H 3M2

T) 705.243.7251

OTTAWA 470 Somerset Street West Ottawa, ON K1R 5J8

T) 613.238.3232

November 25, 2015 BEL 214395 Mr. Doug Skeffington, B.A.A. Director of Land Development Royalpark Homes 65 Royalpark Way Woodbridge, ON L4H 1J5 Re: Tree Inventory and Preservation Plan – Part of Lots 3 and 4, Concession 1, Milton, ON

(Milton Meadows – Royal Park South)

Dear Mr. Skeffington: Beacon Environmental was retained to complete a Tree Inventory and Preservation Plan for Part of Lots 3 and 4, Concession 1, in the Town of Milton. The plan is required by the Town of Milton in support of a draft plan of subdivision for the property. The subject property is located near the southeast corner of Tremaine Road and No. 3 Sideroad, in the Milton Heights Neighbourhood (see Figure 1).

A tree inventory of the subject property was conducted on October 24, 2014 by the undersigned, who is an Ecologist and ISA Certified Arborist with Beacon Environmental. All trees on and immediately adjacent to the subject property with a trunk diameter breast height (DBH) of 15 cm or greater were tagged with numbered aluminum forestry tags. Information collected on each tree included: species, trunk diameter, and condition. Where trees occurred in groupings, such as hedgerows, the group was characterized in terms of tree species composition, the size range of trees, and the general condition of the trees. Tree condition was assessed in terms of overall health and structural integrity based on indicators such as live buds, dead wood, decay, structural defects, and presence of disease. Each tree was assigned a condition rating of good, fair, poor, or dead, based on the following criteria:

Poor – Severe dieback, significant lean, missing leader, major defects, significant decay

and/or disease presence

Fair – Moderate dieback and/or lean, limb defects, multiple stems, moderate foliage

damage from stress

Good – Healthy vigorous growth, minor visible defects or damage

Dead – No live growth

November 25, 2015

Page 2

Findings The subject property consists of several existing residential lots and agricultural fields. The majority of the trees on the site are landscape trees associated with the existing residences. A total of 42 trees were individually tagged and assessed. A summary and evaluation of the individual trees is presented in Table 1, appended to this report. Tree locations are shown on Figure 2. In addition, 11 tree groups were identified and characterized as follows: Group A This grouping consists of 12 apple trees planted in a yard. The trees are 20-30 cm DBH and in fair to good condition. Groups B, D, E, F, G, I, J, and L

These groups are hedgerows dominated by White Cedar, closely spaced, and ranging in size from 5-30 cm DBH. Group I also includes 10 Manitoba Maple, 10-30 cm DBH. Group J includes four Manitoba Maple, 15-25 cm DBH. Group C

This hedgerow consists of seven spruce (30-35 cm DBH) and eight White Cedar (10-15 cm DBH) in fair to good condition. Group H This agricultural hedgerow consists of:

Five Sugar Maple (8, 17, 17, 28, and 75 cm DBH) in good condition

One Black Walnut (14 cm DBH) in good condition

One apple (83 cm DBH) in fair condition

One Basswood (three stems: 48/38/34 cm DBH) in poor condition

One Black Cherry (18/11 cm DBH) in fair condition Group K

This hedgerow, located on the eastern property line, consists of:

Approximately 20 hawthorn

10 apple

Three Green Ash (8, 12, 26 cm DBH), good condition

One Sugar Maple (12 cm DHB), good condition

20 Basswood (8-60 cm DBH), good to poor condition

One Bur Oak (18 cm DBH), good condition

Two Crack Willow (34/34 and 75 cm DBH), fair to poor condition

November 25, 2015

Page 3

Two Manitoba Maple (15 cm DBH), fair condition

Impact Assessment and Recommendations Tree Removals

Based on a review of the draft plan and grading requirements, the majority of trees will require removal to accommodate the proposed development. Additionally, construction of the Region of Halton’s approved realignment of Tremaine Road in the eastern portion of the property (see Figure 2)

will necessitate the removal of tree groups H and K. Tree removals should be conducted outside the breeding season for birds. The federal Migratory Birds Convention Act protects the nests, eggs, and young of most bird species from harassment,

harm, or destruction. The breeding bird season in southern Ontario is generally from mid-April to late-July; hence the clearing of vegetation must take place outside of these dates (i.e., between August and March). For any proposed clearing of vegetation within the breeding bird season, an ecologist should undertake detailed nest searches immediately prior (within two days) to site alteration to ensure that no active nests are present. Group J, located along the property boundary, will require removal due to lot sizing and grading requirements. Where retention of boundary trees is not feasible, neighbouring landowners must be consulted prior to the removal of any trees located on or in close proximity to the property line. Under law, any tree with a trunk that spans the property boundary is considered common property; therefore, any activity that affects such boundary trees requires the consent of both owners.

Ownership of the tree should be confirmed by the landowners. Tree Protection Trees located along the property lines that are shared with neighbouring landowners should be protected, including tree groups C and D, and portions of G and I (see Figure 2). There is potential for damage to occur to trees during construction if proper precautions and protection measures are not implemented. Trees can be negatively impacted through grade changes, soil compaction, root cutting, and mechanical damage to trunks and branches resulting from the operation of construction equipment. Trees to be retained shall be protected through the establishment of a tree protection zone (TPZ), which, at a minimum, should be established at the dripline of the tree crowns. The TPZ shall be demarcated with tree protection fencing consisting of orange plastic snow fence secured to metal posts. The location of tree protection fencing is shown on Figure 2.

No grading, soil disturbance, or surface treatments shall occur within the TPZ. No equipment or materials shall be stored inside the TPZ.

November 25, 2015

Page 4

In addition to the establishment of the TPZ, the following specifications are recommended to ensure the health and survival of any retained trees:

Before the commencement of any tree removal, the contractor and Beacon Environmental should meet on-site to review work procedures, access routes, storage areas and the TPZ or other tree protection measures.

Where underground utilities are to be installed, the route shall be outside any TPZ, or tunnelling or boring methods should be used for installation.

Some tree roots may extend beyond the tree protection zone. Any root damage occurring during construction should be cut cleanly with a hand saw or pruning shears.

Any injury to a tree during construction should be evaluated by a qualified arborist.

Any pruning of trees for construction clearance shall be performed by a qualified arborist.

After construction is completed, trees along the edges of the work area should be inspected by a qualified arborist. Any trees damaged as a result of clearing or construction should be remediated or removed, if necessary.

Report prepared by: Beacon Environmental

Report reviewed by: Beacon Environmental

Dan Westerhof, B.Sc, MES Terrestrial Ecologist, Certified Arborist

Donald M. Fraser Senior Ecologist, Principal

November 25, 2015

Page 5

Table 1. Tree Inventory and Evaluation

Tree # Species Common Name DBH (cm) Condition Comments

1 Picea sp. Spruce species 35 Good

2 Picea sp. Spruce species 42 Good slight lean, mulch piled around base

3 Picea sp. Spruce species 31 Good corrected lean

4 Picea sp. Spruce species 23 Fair

5 Betula papyrifera White Birch 24/24 Good

6 Picea sp. Spruce species 33 Good corrected lean

7 Betula papyrifera White Birch 27/17 Fair top broken off smaller trunk; lean in larger trunk, fair form

8 Picea abies Norway Spruce 56 Good

9 Picea abies Norway Spruce 40 Fair browning needles, some branch/twig die-back

10 Picea sp. Spruce species 43 Good branches pruned for clearance on driveway side

11 Picea sp. Spruce species 30 Good branches pruned for clearance on driveway side

12 Picea sp. Spruce species 26 Fair branches pruned for clearance on driveway side

13 Picea sp. Spruce species 35 Fair branches pruned for clearance on driveway side

14 Acer rubrum Red Maple 60 Good good vigour, large crown, forked at 4m with included bark

15 Juglans nigra Black Walnut 77 Fair-Good

forked at 3 m with included bark in crotch; epicormic branching on lower limbs, open crown

16 Picea sp. Spruce species 29 Fair-Good very close to 17

17 Picea sp. Spruce species 24 Fair-Good very close to 16

18 Picea sp. Spruce species 36 Fair Asymetric crown; branches pruned for clearance

19 Acer saccharum Sugar Maple 63 Fair

lot of vertical branching; small cavity; included bark in branch unions; a few broken limbs

20 Picea sp. Spruce species 35 Good

21 Acer negundo Manitoba Maple 21 Fair

22 Thuja occidentalis White Cedar 25 Fair

Vertical branching, included bark in branch unions, good vigour

23 Malus sp. Apple 22 Fair

November 25, 2015

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Tree # Species Common Name DBH (cm) Condition Comments

24 Betula papyrifera White Birch 28/32 Fair slight lean, several broken branches, fair form, good vigour

31 Acer platanoides Norway Maple 43 Good a few partially closed prune cuts

32 Acer platanoides Norway Maple 45 Fair-Good

small cavity at branch stub; included bark in branch unions, good vigour

33 Malus sp. Apple 15/18 Fair-Good

34 Malus sp. Apple 30 Poor half dead, severe trunk damage

35 Pyrus communis Pear 16/17/14 Fair

36 Betula papyrifera White Birch 15 Poor top broken

37 Picea sp. Spruce species 28 Fair

forked at 3 m; one smaller leader much smaller; uneven crown; good vigour; surface roots with mower damage

38 Picea sp. Spruce species 21 Fair damaged surface roots; corrected bend, good vigour

39 Picea sp. Spruce species 20 Good

40 Acer platanoides Norway Maple 37 Fair

four old flush cuts partially healed; closed crack/seam; good vigour; good crown

41 Picea sp. Spruce species 23 Fair-Good girdling root; surface roots with mower damage; good vigour

42 Picea sp. Spruce species 20 Good

43 Picea sp. Spruce species 18 Good

44 Sorbus aucuparia European Mountain-Ash 16/11/12 Fair minor branch dieback at tips

45 Betula papyrifera White Birch 30 Good

46 Acer x freemanii Freeman's Maple 48 Fair pollarding; large cavity

47 Prunus sp. Cherry species 34 Fair-Good

three branches attached at single point; included bark; good vigour

48

Gleditsia triacanthos var inermis

Thornless Honeylocust 44/42 Good Large full crown

Highway 401

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Tremaine Road

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Project 214395November 2015

-UTM Zone 17 N, NAD 83

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Milton Meadows

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Project 214395November 2015

-1:2,5000 40 8020 Metres

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