Re: Toronto neighbours clash over cutting down 70-year-old tree near High Park, Feb. 11

Toronto neighbours clash over cutting down 70-year-old tree near High Park, Feb. 11

I have no knowledge of this case and have never seen the tree. But as a tree-hugging arborist, I would like to offer a piece of advice to every neighbour who finds themselves in a similar situation, and a well-meaning public who rushes in to take sides.

Start with the tree.

A formal risk assessment carried out by qualified professional will consider all of the factors regarding the sustainability of the tree in its location. These include structural condition and compromise, if any, load factors and mechanics, disturbance in the area, weather patterns, species characteristics, history, vitality, diseases, cohort, site characteristics, and, of course, the target, should the tree fail.

Every tree is valuable. It is essential to get the bigger picture and ask an arborist who has been trained to rate risk (which is not every chainsaw-toting practitioner), what risk of failure and impact does the tree present? Then decide whether to fight over the tree with the neighbour, the controlling authority, and potentially, the insurance companies.

At the end of the day, you are the one living under that tree and you deserve the peace of mind that comes from an informed decision.

Jose Rubio Lazo, Toronto

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