The planting of trees will occur once landscaping begins. The Contractor (KEV) is not at the stage of beginning landscaping design work. This work will come once infrastructure design work is completed. Currently, they are updating and maintaining the inventory of trees that have been removed. It is to be noted, that 2 to 1 tree replacement is not dependent on location. For example, if 100 trees were removed from the Lincoln Fields area, it doesn’t mean that 200 trees will be planted. The landscaping design may recommend 300 trees or 75 trees. It will depend on what is most appropriate for the area being landscaped. The 2 to 1 ratio is for the project as a whole.
When this stage of the project begins in about 4 or 5 years, residents will be invited to participate. Communities will be able to submit for consideration a list of requested species they would like to see planted in their area.
When the landscaping stage of LRT project starts, KEV is required to submit landscaping designs based on City of Ottawa standards. In the case of the LRT corridor on NCC land, the NCC would also review the landscaping plans and species list to ensure all of their standards and requirements are met. These designs include selecting a variety of native species of trees to plant. The variety is important in order to reduce invasive species wiping out full areas of like trees, such as occurred with the emerald ash borer. The specialists will take a look at existing species in the area and then determine what should be planted.
The trees will also be guaranteed. It will be the Contractor’s responsibility to ensure that the trees are watered and kept alive particularly through the first couple years after planting when the risk of the tree not taking is at its highest.
Residents can send their suggestions now to stage2@ottawa.ca or wait until the design stage is announced in a few years.
The Stage 2 Project Agreement states:
- Every deciduous tree removed with a caliper of 100 mm or larger should be replaced with two 70 mm caliper trees.
- Every coniferous tree should be replaced with two 1.8m high trees.
