Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 48(1): January 2022 were completed between July and October 2019 (Table 1). Altogether, 183 replacement trees were evaluated across the properties. In addition to identi- fying the species, the health status of each tree was assessed using a grading scheme based on the Neigh- bourwoods protocol (Kenney and Puric-Mladenovic 2014). To analyze the presence of crown defoliation, weak or yellowing foliage, and signs of pathogens on the replacement trees, a value of 0 to 3 was assigned in each category: “0” indicated that there was no pres- ence of a negative health condition, while “3” showed extensive damage visible to over 50% of the tree. Finally, the percent of hard surface (e.g., paved walk- ways, rock gardens, or any structures) located under the drip line of each tree was visually estimated fol- lowing the Neighbourwoods protocol. Analysis Survey responses were entered into a database, and an error checking procedure was used to ensure accu- racy of the data. The data collected during the site visits went through the same process. First, simple summa- ries of the survey responses and site visit data were completed, including the number of respondents who had planted the required replacement trees. Second, statistical tests were conducted to see if significant (P < 0.05) correlations existed between survey response rate, replacement planting, presence of anonymity statement on survey, management district, permit type (construction or non-construction), atti- tudes towards tree regulation, and 3 socio-demographic measures that are often correlated with residential yard tree actions (household income, education level, and age). Cross tabulations were calculated using the chi-square test statistic, Cramer’s V test statistic when comparing categorical variables where at least 1 vari- able has more than 2 classes, or Fisher tests when smaller and irregular category sizes were present. We also compared the species homeowners listed as planting in the survey and the species identification of the tree(s) based on the site visits to better under- stand if homeowners were reliably identifying the replacement tree species. As most homeowners listed the common name at the genus level (e.g., maple), we summarized and compared the tree identification data by genera. For the site visit data, we also examined the percent of native species planted, defining native species as those historically found in the Toronto region (City of Toronto 2010; Farrar 2017). Hybrid 13 species such as the Freeman maple (A. × freemanii) were considered native because its parent species, the red maple (Acer rubrum) and silver maple (Acer sac- charinum), are endemic to southern Ontario. RESULTS Of the 1,949 surveys mailed, 1,824 were successfully delivered, while 125 surveys were “returned to sender” (i.e., never reached the intended destination). The “returned to sender” number is relatively high given that the mailing label only included addresses and not names; it reflects addresses that do not exist accord- ing to Canada Post, rather than a homeowner no lon- ger living at that address, suggesting errors in the City of Toronto’s record keeping. A total of 605 surveys were returned. After filtering for surveys that did not answer yes to the screening question, surveys with missing answers to the tree permit and replacement questions were removed, leaving a total of 429 responses. Thus, the survey response rate is 24%. This is typical for a mailed survey that is not addressed to homeowners by name (Dillman et al. 2014). We found no significant difference in response rate between surveys with (21%) and without (24%) the anonym- ity protection statement at the top of the survey, although underreporting of permit violations may have occurred, as survey data tends to underrepresent illegal activities (Aday and Cornelius 2006). The initial 1,949 sample has an uneven spatial dis- tribution, with few permits located in the central and northern part of the East District and the western part of the North District (Figure 1). These areas have rel- atively low canopy cover compared to the city as a whole, so may have fewer trees that are covered by the private tree by-law. The spatial distribution of sur- vey responses generally follows the same pattern, suggesting that the response group is not spatially biased. The majority of survey respondents reported income above $120,000 CAD and held a university degree (Table 2), thus respondents were wealthier and better educated than Toronto residents in general. However, there is no demographic data available for homeown- ers who participate in the permit program, so it is unclear if these characteristics reflect permit holders as a group. The majority of respondents were between 40 and 70 years old, as expected given that all partic- ipants are homeowners. No one under 30 responded to the survey. ©2022 International Society of Arboriculture
January 2022
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