Historic trees at Toronto’s Osgoode Hall given ‘temporary reprieve’ by Metrolinx

Trees on the ground of Osgood Hall, in the University Avenue and Queen Street area, were due to be removed by Metrolinx as part of its plans to construct the Ontario Line. 

Five historic trees growing in downtown Toronto will not be immediately torn down to construct a new subway station.

Trees on the grounds of Osgoode Hall, in the University Avenue and Queen Street area, were due to be removed by Metrolinx as part of its plans to construct the Ontario Line.

To allow for a station at the intersection, the provincial transit agency had said it would need to cut down the five historic trees.

After pushback from many, including Toronto Mayor John Tory, Metrolinx had agreed to have a third party weigh in on its plans. But then, expectedly, it reversed that decision around Nov. 22 and said plans would proceed to chop down the trees.

Now, both the Law Society of Ontario — located at Osgoode Hall — and the provincial transit agency say the trees will be allowed to remain, at least temporarily.

“Metrolinx has now agreed that this removal is not necessary to facilitate an archaeological assessment for the Ontario Line station Metrolinx proposes for the site,” the Law Society of Ontario said in a statement Tuesday.

In a statement sent to Global News, Metrolinx said it had found “an alternative method” to continue with construction.

How long the reprieve will last is unclear.