I've been wondering WTF is going on there. This is particularly crushing because it gives the naysayers something to point at.
Can anyone confirm that top-rate infrastructure was put in (i.e. good irrigation systems)?
My better half points out that this variety of tree is scarce in Toronto and there may be a reason for that. Plus, as some have pointed out - that winter just past was a beeyatch.
… I wanted so much for this revitalization effort to be a success from the get-go. Damn.
There are NO irrigation systems, that was cut from the project early on; hence the little green bags filled w/water that were beside all the new plantings.
Second, I don't want to be too repetitive as I've spoken at length on species selection in this thread and others.
Suffice to say, London Plane Tree was always the wrong choice for this space, it can survive here in near ideal conditions (large healthy lawns, lots of sun, shielded from the worst wind etc.). It is not an appropriate street tree for this climate.
The City, belatedly, seems prepared to admit this; I don't know what they will propose as alternatives, fingers crossed its not Ginkgo.
I would strongly suggest, honey locust for the big round circles in flush w/the sidewalk and Red and White Oak for most of the beds; perhaps going
w/Silver Maple in the Yonge - Bay block.
There are other legit choices; the keys are native, urban tolerant and some variety, just in case a mistake is made.
Also, it matters where the genetic stock of the tree is from; ie. A red oak seeded from a tree in North Carolina (southern limit of their range) is likely
attuned better to those climate/light level conditions. A red oak from seed from a successful southern Ontario tree will likely perform better.