Toronto’s Volatile Weather: How to Handle Downed Trees After a Storm

Toronto’s unpredictable weather frequently leaves residents dealing with downed trees, power outages, and expensive property damage. From the devastating 2013 ice storm to the severe windstorms of 2023/24, the impact on homes, vehicles, and landscapes can be overwhelming.

Knowing how to respond safely and effectively after a storm—and how to prepare your trees ahead of time—can help protect your property and prevent further damage. This guide will walk you through the steps to take when facing downed trees and how to ensure your trees are storm-ready.

What to Do When Trees Come Down After a Storm

When inspecting your property after a storm, you might encounter broken branches, uprooted trees, or debris. Acting quickly yet safely is key. 

7 Steps To Take After a Storm in Toronto

1. Prioritize Safety

Your safety is the top priority. Downed trees and broken branches can pose significant hazards:

  • Downed power lines: Always assume wires are live and dangerous. If you see a power line near a fallen tree, stay far away and call Toronto Hydro immediately at 416-542-8000. 311 is another option for trees on roads, or hazardous situations.
  • Broken or hanging branches: Branches under tension can snap without warning. Avoid approaching the tree until the area is deemed safe by a professional.

Don’t worry about the next steps until you are sure you’re safe.

2. Assess the Damage from a Distance

Once it’s safe, survey your property for damage. Look for:

  • Trees that have fallen on your house, vehicle, or fence
  • Nearby trees that are leaning, cracked, or showing signs of instability
    • If you believe a tree is at risk of falling over, keep back
    • This may look like roots or soil heaving, or a sudden change in the lead of the tree
  • Obvious signs of structural damage to your home or property
  • Broken branches hanging in trees over your property, car, or places you walk with your family

3. Document the Damage

Take detailed photos and videos of the tree and any damage it caused. This documentation will be crucial for your insurance claim. Ensure you capture the full extent of the damage from multiple angles.

4. Notify Your Neighbours

If a tree has fallen across property lines or damaged a neighbour’s property, reach out to coordinate next steps. This is especially important for shared trees that may involve joint responsibility. 

  • If you’re a renter, contact your landlord
  • If you’re a landlord or property manager, reach out to tenants

5. Contact Your Insurance Company

For trees that have damaged your property, contact your insurance provider as soon as possible. Provide them with your documentation and follow their guidance on the claims process. 

  • Review your policy BEFORE calling, to ensure you understand coverage limits and requirements
  • Assemble all your documents

6. Call a Certified Arborist after your Insurance

If you’re going to go through insurance, be aware that some insurance companies have requirements, rules and stipulations about how the situation with trees is managed. You may not have coverage, or they may only cover costs for certain aspects of the project. Sometimes, they will only allow a restricted list of companies to do the work. Best to save your time and understand the situation before getting quotes that might not work for you.

Never attempt to move or cut a fallen tree yourself. Trees can weigh several tons, and their weight combined with compression forces makes them hazardous to handle without proper equipment.

A certified arborist can:

  • Safely remove the tree without causing additional damage.
  • Inspect other trees on your property for hidden risks.
  • Provide proof of insurance and WSIB coverage to protect you from liability.

What Not to Do After a Storm

Handling fallen trees can be dangerous, so avoid these common mistakes:

  • Ignoring power lines: Always assume wires are live and report them immediately to Toronto Hydro.
  • Cutting the tree yourself: Trees under tension can move unpredictably when cut, posing serious risks.
  • Assume trees are safe just because they didn’t break: Trees can continue to break and fall over for days or weeks after a storm. Look up!
  • Stand in the hole made by a tree after it falls over: Trees CAN stand back up, and while rare it can be fatal. 
  • Climb on or try to move large trees that have fallen:  Trees are very heavy, but they can shift, move and roll very quickly.
  • Hiring unqualified help: Only work with companies that provide certified arborists, insurance, and WSIB coverage to protect yourself from liability.
  • Rushing: After major storms, arborists may be overwhelmed with requests. Non-urgent tree removals may take time, but waiting for a qualified professional is worth it.

The Hidden Dangers of Storm Damage

Storm damage isn’t always immediately obvious. While some trees may show visible signs of damage, others may seem fine but have sustained internal or structural issues that could pose risks in the future.

Ice Damage

Ice storms, like the infamous 2013 event, can coat trees with heavy ice, causing branches to snap under the strain. Ice buildup can also weaken root systems, making trees more susceptible to being uprooted in subsequent storms.

Wind Damage

High winds can break branches, uproot trees, or create deep internal cracks in trunks and branches. Even trees with no visible damage can have compromised structures, increasing the likelihood of future failures.

Lightning Damage

Lightning strikes can cause catastrophic and often unseen damage to trees. The intense heat from a strike can vaporize sap, causing the trunk or branches to split or explode. While some trees may survive initially, the internal damage weakens their structural integrity, leaving them more vulnerable to pests, disease, and eventual failure. Even trees with no external signs of lightning damage may have compromised root systems or internal cracks, posing hidden risks.

Pro Tip: Storm damage can manifest weeks or months after the event. An arborist can assess your trees for hidden weaknesses, such as cracks or decay, ensuring they remain safe and stable.

Broken tree branch from a city tree fell on house and blocked sidewalk downtown toronto

Why Toronto’s Trees Face Unique Challenges After a Storm

Toronto’s trees are particularly vulnerable to storm damage due to a combination of environmental stressors and urban infrastructure constraints. These factors not only increase the likelihood of tree failure during extreme weather but also complicate the recovery process for homeowners. Understanding these unique challenges is key to addressing storm damage safely and effectively.

How Toronto’s Weather Impacts Trees

Toronto’s climate is characterized by frequent and intense weather events, each with its own effects on tree health and stability:

Ice Storms

Winter storms often coat trees in heavy ice, adding immense weight to branches and increasing the risk of breakage or complete failure. The 2013 ice storm serves as a stark reminder of the widespread damage caused when trees become overloaded with ice. Even trees that appear to have survived may suffer hidden structural damage, leaving them unstable in future storms.

High Winds

Windstorms take advantage of weaknesses like decay or weak branch unions, causing branches to snap or trees to uproot entirely. Trees with shallow roots or dense canopies, such as Norway maples and silver maples, are particularly at risk.

Urban Heat Islands

In densely developed areas like downtown Toronto, concrete and asphalt absorb and radiate heat, creating higher temperatures that exacerbate drought stress in trees. These are called urban heat islands, and they can really impact trees and people negatively. This added stress makes them more brittle and prone to cracking, further increasing their vulnerability during storms.

The Role of Urban Infrastructure

Toronto’s urban environment presents unique challenges for tree growth and stability, particularly in areas with dense infrastructure.

Proximity to Power Lines

Trees near hydro wires are frequently trimmed by utility companies, often leading to uneven growth and structural instability. During storms, branches near power lines can pose significant hazards, including outages and dangerous conditions.

Restricted Root Zones

Urban trees often grow in compacted soil or confined spaces, such as sidewalk planters or narrow boulevards. These restricted root systems limit the tree’s ability to anchor itself and absorb nutrients, making it more susceptible to uprooting during high winds.

Proximity to Homes and Roads

Trees close to homes, fences, or roads pose a higher risk of property damage. Falling branches can destroy roofs, vehicles, and infrastructure, while road salt used during winter can dehydrate roots and damage bark, weakening trees further.

Construction Stress

Toronto’s ongoing urban development means tree roots are frequently compacted or severed during construction projects. This type of damage is often invisible until a storm exacerbates the tree’s instability.

An Aging Urban Canopy

Many of Toronto’s trees, especially in older neighborhoods like Rosedale, High Park, and The Beaches, are nearing the end of their natural lifespans. Mature species such as Norway maples and silver maples often show signs of decay, hollow trunks, or brittle branches. While these trees add character to the city’s landscape, their age increases the risk of failure during storms.

Understanding Toronto’s Private Tree By-law

The Private Tree By-law requires homeowners to obtain permits before removing trees larger than 30 cm in diameter, even if they’re storm-damaged. While this regulation is crucial for protecting Toronto’s urban canopy, it can delay removal in emergency situations, adding stress for homeowners as a permit exemption is still required for dead or hazardous trees.

Shared tree ownership along property lines is another challenge. Without clear property records or surveys, disputes over who is responsible for removal costs can arise, further complicating recovery efforts after a storm.

Tree fallen over after winter storm, neighbour tree crushed fence and shed in backyard of Toronto house

Tree Species at Higher Risk in Toronto

Certain tree species common to Toronto are particularly susceptible to storm damage due to their structural characteristics or environmental stressors:

  • Norway Maples: Their fast growth often leads to weak branch unions, making them prone to splitting in high winds.
  • Emerald Cedars: Popular for hedges, these evergreens are prone to top-heaviness and significant ice damage during winter storms.
  • Silver Maples: While appreciated for their shade, their shallow roots and brittle wood make them vulnerable to uprooting and branch breakage.
  • Honey Locusts: Often used as street trees, their wide canopies are prone to limb loss during windstorms.
  • Ash Trees: Already weakened by the invasive emerald ash borer, ash trees are at an increased risk of falling during storms.
  • Oak Trees: Toronto’s oak trees are an amazing resource, but mature oak trees are very big, very heavy and prone to decline. Storms can really exacerbate this, and cause huge damage if their limbs break.

What This Means After a Storm

These challenges emphasize why storm damage to trees in Toronto can be so complex. Urban factors like infrastructure proximity, aging trees, and weather extremes combine to create high risks during storms. After severe weather, even trees that appear healthy can pose hidden dangers, and professional assessment is essential to ensure safety.

By understanding these unique factors, you can better protect your property, take preventative measures, and make informed decisions about addressing storm-damaged trees.

Pro Tip: If you suspect a tree on your property has sustained damage, don’t wait for visible signs of failure. Contact a certified arborist to assess the tree’s health and structural integrity. Hidden cracks, decay, or root instability often go unnoticed until it’s too late.

Preparing Your Trees for Toronto’s Storms

Preventative care is the best way to reduce the risk of storm damage. Here’s how to prepare your trees:

1. Schedule a Tree Inspection

Hire a certified arborist to inspect your trees for hazards like deadwood, cracks, or weak branches. Pruning trees regularly not only keeps them healthy but also removes potential dangers before storms hit.

2. Keep your trees pruned and maintained

Pruning trees, maintaining hedges and removing hazards is a pro-active way to avoid serious damage, injury and costs after big Toronto storms. 

3. Keep Maintenance Records

Document all tree care and maintenance, including pruning and trimming. This log can support your insurance claim if a storm damages your property.

4. Know Tree Ownership

For trees near property lines, check your property survey or contact 311 Toronto to confirm ownership. Knowing whether the tree is yours or your neighbour’s can save time and disputes in the event of damage.

5. Review Your Insurance Coverage

Ensure your home insurance policy covers storm damage and tree removal. Some policies may not include these, so it’s worth verifying before the next storm.

Why work with us before or after a Toronto storm?

We understand the stress storms can bring to Toronto homeowners. Our team of certified arborists is equipped to handle the city’s unique challenges, providing safe and efficient tree care to keep your family and property safe.

What sets us apart:

  • Experience with Toronto Trees: We specialize in local species and understand how to handle their specific vulnerabilities.
  • Fully Insured Professionals: Our team carries comprehensive insurance and WSIB coverage, protecting you from liability.
  • Rapid Storm Response: We prioritize urgent cases to minimize further damage to your property.

Contact Us for Safe and Reliable Tree Care

If a storm has left you with fallen or damaged trees, don’t risk handling it alone. Let our certified arborists assess your property, safely remove hazards, and prepare your trees for the future.

Contact us today for a free quote