THUNDER BAY – The impact of the storm is easily visible along the city’s tree-lined streets.
The weight of the ice has caused many trees to sag and even snap. In fact, many of the ice-coated trees have become such a danger to the public that the city has enlisted the help of a private company to help take them down.
On Thursday, Rutter Urban Forestry owner Vince Rutter said it’s hard to keep up during a storm like this.
The company has been contracted by the city to help clean up fallen branches and preemptively take down many large trees before they come down on their own, at great public risk.
Normally, the city would deal with these issues solely with its own crews, but that's simply not possible, given the sheer number of trees in imminent danger of toppling.
Even after the worst of the storm is over, arbourists will likely be busy for weeks to come.
“I know there are lots of trees that are down that we haven’t got calls about yet,” Rutter said.
“I think maybe some people are waiting for the storm to be over entirely, so I expect that we will get calls over the next couple of weeks.”
If you believe you've identified a tree that may present a danger, call the city or a forestry company, if it's located on private property.
If that tree is touching a power line, do not touch it and contact Thunder Bay Hydro.
Especially when coated with ice, trees are great conductors of electricity.
Above all, Rutter advises to simply pay attention.
“Look up and be aware of your surroundings because everything is different right now and branches can fall at any given second, so if you can stay away from trees…that’s a good idea.”
(TBT News)
