Three years later, the city has yet to start a fundraising campaign, saying it still needs the property owner’s assistance. Elsayed told the Star at the time that if the city doesn’t purchase the land soon, the owner will chop down the tree. The property owner and city are currently negotiating a price, said Elsayed on Wednesday. Once details are confirmed with the property owner, the city will formally establish a fund with the Toronto Parks and Tree Foundation, said city spokesperson Jane Arbour. Fines for illegally removing a tree range from $500 to $100,000, plus a possible supplementary fine of $100,000, according to the Toronto municipal code.

Source: thestar May 11, 2018 20:26 UTC