Heritage red oak will survive fundraising deadline

Toronto council votes to continue its efforts to save 250-year-old tree

Toronto councillors voted to save a 250-year-old red oak tree even though a campaign to raise public funds for the purchase of the property it sits on fell $40,000 short of its goal.

The tree, at a home on 76 Coral Gable Dr. in the northwestern part of the city, is recognized as a heritage tree under Forests Ontario’s Heritage Tree Program.

In 2018, council agreed to buy the property, near Sheppard Avenue West and Weston Road, to ensure preservation of the tree and turn the lot into a parkette, if half the purchase price could be raised through donations.

On Thursday, Coun. Anthony Perruzza (Ward 7 Humber River-Black Creek), said while the campaign to raise half the purchase price had been successful, raising $313,000, it was still about $80,000 short.

He said a contributor pledged to kick in half of the shortfall, which still leaves the city $40,000 short, and unlikely to reach that goal in time for the December deadline.

Coun. Stephen Holyday (Ward 2 Etobicoke Centre) opposed the plan, pointing to the city’s existing financial commitments, which have mushroomed under COVID-19, and to the fact that the city is facing an expensive backlog of repairs to roads and sewers.

“It’s an oak tree, it’s not a money tree,” said Holyday. “It’s a lovely tree, but I have to not make decisions based on emotion.”

He said the city doesn’t need another park in that area.

“Apply logic here,” he asked other councillors.

Coun. Mike Colle (Ward 8 Eglinton Lawrence) scolded Holyday, who, he said, supported the $1.8-billion decision to bury the Eglinton LRT.

“The city is about more than roads, roads, roads, subways and LRTs,” said Colle.

The motion to move forward with the purchase and to continue trying to raise money for the difference passed.