I have to a 20’ maple (trunk 6”diam) and a 35’ white pine (trunk 12” diam) that I need dead but not removed yet. Do you have a few ways to diy kill foliage and eventually the tree?
Dear gardener,
I must confess to being a bit stymied by your question. Toronto needs as many trees as it can grow. An article that was published this week (April 19, 2024) on CBC radio has reported that the city’s plans for development and densification of housing will put at risk our opportunity to plant trees. This is of great concern since trees are so important to our community’s health. As the report says: “the city is trying to plant [trees] in large numbers to improve air quality, reduce storm water runoff and cool city streets as summers heat up.”
You have mentioned that you have two trees, a 20′ maple and a 35′ white pine, one of which you want to kill. I am going to caution you that trees in Toronto are protected, and it is not possible to injure or kill a tree without the City of Toronto’s permission. You may find this November 19, 2016 Toronto Star article interesting since it outlines many of the regulations relevant for tree protection. The Toronto Municipal Code 813 (2022) in regards to legislation on trees says that: “No person shall injure, destroy, remove or permit the injury, destruction or removal of a tree without a permit.” Information about the permit can be obtained on the City of Toronto website, under Tree and Ravine Protection.
Finally, may I suggest that you contact a professional arborist. Landscape Ontario provides a list of Toronto-based arborists.