Tree jammed into fence is a danger

What to do about a perfectly healthy tree that is slowly being sliced by a fence rail next to it?

As unhappy a decision as it may be, there seems to be no choice but to cut it down, before it falls over on somebody.

A reader recently sent us an email that included a startling photo of a tree next to a fence on the east side of Avoca Ave., near the gorgeous ravine that runs under St. Clair Ave. and through David A. Balfour Park.

The photo showed a mature tree leaning up against the iron top rail of the fence, with the edge of the rail slicing about a quarter of the way into the trunk of the tree.

“I have to say this fence-eating tree charms me, but it is also very tall and growing over from the ravine side of Avoca,” said the reader, who didn’t add their name to the email.

We went there and found that the tree seems to be doing just fine, even though the fence is slowly cutting through it. And the more it grows, the more surely the cut will deepen. Status: We sent a photo of it to Jason Doyle, who’s in charge of urban forestry, and asked him what should be done, hoping he’d say they’d leave it alone for now. Here’s his answer: “I will have an inspector out immediately to inspect the tree. However, based on the picture you provided I would recommend removal. I can’t move the fence, but the tree will continue to grow and compromise its structural integrity.”

We emailed back to say we were hoping it could stay, at least for a while. Doyle replied that “we can’t let it fall. That would present a public hazard. Now that it has been brought to our attention, we will look after it ASAP.” What’s broken in your neighbourhood? Wherever you are in Greater Toronto, we want to know. Send an email to jlakey@thestar.ca. Report problems and follow us on Twitter @TOStarFixer.