Additional information
- The tree may already be in poor health;
- The infrastructure being added may disrupt the feeder root system in ways that aren’t necessarily apparent when looking at the tree above ground – sometimes the removal of curbs can be enough to disrupt the root zone and make it unsafe going forward.
Property and construction impacts
The sidewalk installation may require regrading of both lawns and driveways, depending on the existing slope of each. The City makes every effort to minimize the necessary impacts and will restore lawns and driveways to the pre-construction condition or better.
Construction is anticipated to begin this spring or summer, and typically takes two to four weeks from start to finish. Every effort is made to minimize disruptions but there will be times when you will not have full access to your driveway. The City Project Manager will be onsite regularly and available to reach should there be any concerns when the project is underway.
A construction notice letter will be issued two weeks before construction starts with more information about construction impacts.
On-street parking changes
There are no planned changes to existing parking regulations through this project.
Tree protection and evaluation
Removal of trees is never our first choice, and we strive to reduce tree impacts as much as possible while balancing the need for safe and reliable infrastructure in our city.
During a project’s design, staff from the City of London’s engineering and forestry divisions, walk the street to evaluate each property, determine the current health of the trees, and determine how to best install services while minimizing impacts to trees and structures.
After the arborist’s review is complete, any trees identified as impacted by construction or in poor health are removed before construction starts. There are many reasons why a tree may need to come down:
The trees that have been identified to be removed are:
Location of Removal | Tree type and trunk diameter | Reason for Removal |
1132 Richmond Street | Oak, Red, 7cm | Construction impacts: due to regrading |
1132 Richmond Street | Oak, Red, 15cm | Construction impacts: due to regrading |
1132 Richmond Street | Cedar, Miscellaneous, 15cm | Construction impacts: conflicts with curb and sidewalk installation |
1158 Richmond Street | Cluster of various overgrowth trees | Overall health, undesirable species and overgrowth in a common pedestrian and shared mobility space. |
Wildlife considerations
The first three months of each year is a period when most tree removals across the city are completed, and that’s because we are working to complete this pre-construction work ahead of the migratory bird nesting period, which starts on April 1st. In cases where tree removals continue later into the spring, bird experts are also then engaged before any removals take place.
Tree replacement
When projects are completed, the City evaluates additional new tree planting opportunities on these streets. Each project is unique, and our approach to tree replacement is tailored to the context of the area we’re working with.
Privately-owned sprinkler system, landscaping or fencing
If you have a sprinkler system, landscaping, or fence on the City Boulevard that conflicts with the construction project you will need to remove and re-install it, at your expense and onto your own property, prior to construction.
The City will not accept any liability for damage to items on the City boulevard (as per the City’s S-1 By-Law). Please contact us if you are unsure whether this applies to you.