Ice storms are among the most destructive natural events for trees in Quebec, and the western tip of the West Island — Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and Senneville — is particularly exposed. These communities sit at the confluence of Lac des Deux Montagnes and Lac Saint-Louis, where moisture-laden winds create ideal conditions for heavy freezing rain accumulation. The catastrophic ice storm of 1998 is still fresh in the memory of long-time residents, and smaller but still damaging ice events occur every few years. Service d'Arbres Brandse provides 24-hour emergency tree service to both communities and has extensive experience managing ice storm aftermath.
Which Trees Are Most Vulnerable
Not all trees handle ice loading equally. Silver maples are the most vulnerable species on the West Island due to their weak wood and wide branching angles that catch and hold ice. Willows, poplars, and Manitoba maples are similarly prone to catastrophic failure. Even stronger species like red oak and sugar maple can suffer significant damage when ice accumulation exceeds 15 to 20 millimetres. Conifers like white cedar and spruce handle ice better because their flexible branches shed the weight, but extreme events can still split them apart. Senneville's large rural properties often have mature specimen trees that are irreplaceable once lost.
Prevention Strategies — Before the Storm
The best time to prepare for an ice storm is during the growing season. Crown thinning is the most effective preventive measure — by selectively removing interior branches, you reduce the surface area that catches ice while maintaining the tree's natural form. We also recommend removing dead branches, codominant stems with included bark, and any limbs with narrow crotch angles. For high-value trees or those near structures, cabling and bracing systems can provide supplemental support. Steel cables installed between major limbs help redistribute the load during ice events and can prevent the tree from splitting apart.
Post-Storm Safety — What to Do and What Not to Do
After an ice storm, your property may look like a war zone. The most important rule is to stay away from downed trees and branches, especially if power lines are involved. Never attempt to remove a branch that is tangled in or resting on a power line — call Hydro-Québec at 1-800-790-2424 immediately. Do not try to shake ice off branches, as this can cause additional breaks and falling debris. Walk around your property carefully to assess the damage, but do not go under the canopy of heavily loaded trees. Take photos for your insurance claim and call a professional arborist before attempting any cleanup.
Coordinating with Hydro-Québec
In Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and Senneville, many properties have overhead power lines running through or adjacent to tree canopies. After a major ice storm, Hydro-Québec crews focus on restoring power to the grid and may cut trees aggressively to clear lines. Their priority is electrical safety, not tree preservation. If you contact a qualified arborist quickly, we can often coordinate with Hydro-Québec to perform the necessary clearance work while preserving as much of the tree as possible. At Service d'Arbres Brandse, we have established working relationships with utility crews and understand the safety protocols required when working near energized lines.
24-Hour Emergency Tree Service
Ice storms do not wait for business hours, and neither do we. Service d'Arbres Brandse offers round-the-clock emergency response for Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Senneville, and all West Island communities. Our emergency team can remove fallen trees from houses, driveways, and roadways, clear hazardous hanging branches, and make your property safe until full cleanup can be completed. We carry comprehensive liability insurance and all required safety equipment for storm work. If a tree has fallen on your home or is threatening to, call us immediately at (438) 365-5410. We prioritize emergencies involving structural damage and blocked access.