We can control lots of things in this life, but unfortunately weather isn’t one of them. When it comes to dealing with weather, high winds can be one of the worst culprits for causing large amounts of destruction and storm damage. Especially when it comes to your trees.
Trees are designed to be incredibly resilient. They can flex and twist, but there are reasons why a tree can fail during a storm.
How Do Trees Get Damaged in Storms
Improper Pruning
As with most things in life, for a tree to remain healthy a certain amount of maintenance and care is necessary. But there is more to pruning a tree than simply cutting off whichever limbs we think can go. There is a science to removing limbs and cutting the wrong ones can actually harm the tree and affect the structural integrity of it. That’s why it’s actually best to consult with a professional arborist before doing significant tree work.
Death or Disease
If a limb has become infected by disease or has died it should be dealt with immediately. Neglecting to deal with it is just a time bomb waiting to go off. But again simply removing that dead limb might not be enough, sometimes pruning is required throughout to keep the tree’s load-bearing ability in balance.
The Variety of Tree
All trees are different and some are just simply designed to handle storms and strong winds better than others. This is usually due to a weak limb and root structure. An example of a tree that struggles with storms would be the silver maple. It’s rapid growth rate and typical V-limb structure leave this towering type of tree vulnerable to limb loss in a storm situation.
Recent Examples of Storm Damage Tree Work
Case Study 1: Tornado Devastation Turns Into Months of Work
The Situation
After a major tornado hit the Aurora/Uxbridge area, entire properties, especially golf courses, were left with widespread tree damage. Trees were down everywhere, and many others were left dangerously unstable with broken limbs hanging overhead.
The Challenge
- Hundreds of damaged trees across large properties
- Dangerous “hangers” (broken limbs under tension)
- Unstable trees that couldn’t be climbed safely
- Urgent demand to restore safety and usability
The Approach
The team mobilized immediately, even working a stat holiday, to begin clearing fairways and high-risk areas. As the scale of damage became clear, they adapted by:
- Bringing in and eventually renting a spider lift for safer access
- Prioritizing hazardous limbs and high-traffic areas
- Phasing the work over time (initial cleanup → ongoing restoration)
The Result
- Over 30+ days of clean up from a single storm event
- Safe removal of high-risk hazards across multiple properties
Key Takeaway
Storm damage may look straightforward, but it’s often the most dangerous type of tree work. Having the right equipment and experience makes all the difference.
Contact Sequoia TreeScape for Storm Damage Tree Removal, Limb Removal and Trimming Near You
If you have experienced storm damage with any of your trees don’t hesitate to reach out to Sequoia TreeScape. We offer fast and professional service within the York region, and would happy to come out and provide you with a free estimate. Contact us today.
Until Next Time,
Matt Gladwin – Owner
Certified Arborist