When something changes suddenly, knowing what to do next matters.
Storms can change a tree in minutes. We’ll help you understand what happened, what needs attention now and what should happen next.
If anyone is in danger, keep clear of the area and call emergency services first.
First priority
Start with the immediate concern.
When a tree is damaged, the first priority is understanding whether there is an immediate hazard to people or property.
Once that concern is under control, we can look at the bigger picture and decide what the tree that remains needs.
Mon to Fri, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Storm calls are also taken after hours and on weekends.
- 01
Keep clear
Stay away from the damaged tree and anything under it until you know what has changed.
- 02
People first
If there is an immediate danger to people, call emergency services.
- 03
Wires: call the utility
Stay clear of downed wires, and anything touching them. Call the utility.
- 04
Leave the ice
Don’t shake ice off branches. Frozen wood is brittle and can snap without warning.
- 05
Take photos if it’s safe
Photos of the tree and the area help us understand what happened.
- 06
Then call us
Call 226-224-5877, or send photos with a free quote request.
What we handle
Storm damage comes in a few forms.
Fallen or broken limbs
Large limbs that have failed onto homes, vehicles, driveways or other areas may need emergency removal.
Hanging or suspended branches
Storm-damaged branches can stay caught in the canopy. We’ll assess them and deal with them safely.
Split or partially failed trees
A split doesn’t always tell the whole story. We’ll work out the right response for what remains.
Shifted or uprooted trees
Changes around the root plate, or a new lean, deserve careful assessment.
Different damage can look similar from the ground. The right response depends on what actually changed.
How a call-out works
The immediate problem comes first.
The long-term decision comes after we understand what remains.
Tell us what happened
Call 226-224-5877, or send a free quote request with photos of the tree and the area.
Make it safe
We deal with the immediate hazard and stabilise the situation where needed.
Understand what remains
We assess the damage, the structure and the condition of the remaining tree.
Decide what comes next
We explain your options and recommend the right path forward.
Office hours are Mon to Fri, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, and we take storm calls after hours and on weekends. When storms hit, we work extended hours triaging and communicating so we can turn things around quickly. We aim to acknowledge and communicate with enquiries within a few hours.
Assessment before assumption
Storm damage doesn’t automatically mean the tree is lost.
A storm can change a tree. It can also reveal it. Damage can expose decay, change how the canopy is loaded or affect stability.
So we look beyond the obvious damage, at the tree’s structure, condition and surroundings and what has changed. We assess first, then recommend what’s right for the tree that remains.
Prune
Remove damaged or hazardous parts while keeping the tree.
Support
Structural support may help improve stability.
Monitor
Monitoring may be the right choice when the risk is low.
Remove
Where the evidence supports it, removal may be the safest option.
The right response depends on the tree, the damage and what surrounds it.
Crane work and equipment
The crew and kit for big, awkward jobs.
An 8-person crew with the equipment to handle large and technical work carefully. Crane work when a job calls for it: trees over houses, near lines or with no easy access.
Ground mats go under the spider lift where needed, and the crew rakes the site clean before leaving.
Crane work
Crane-assisted removals for large trees and tight sites.
Spider lift
Tracks through narrow gates on ground mats and reaches over structures from the lawn.
Chipper and chipper truck
Brush is chipped on site.
Mechanical lifting machines
Logs and wood moved without dragging across the lawn.
Your lead arborist
Professional judgement when it matters most.
Jason Korkidakis is the Owner & Lead Arborist at Koala Tree. He’s an ISA Certified Arborist (ON-3263A), TRAQ qualified and PPQ qualified, with years of experience assessing and responding to storm-damaged trees in London, ON.
His role is to help you understand the situation clearly and recommend the right next step.
At work
Removal, rigging and clean-up.
Reviews
Removal and clean-up, in clients’ words.
From our Google reviews, in clients’ own words.
“Great company!! We unfortunately had to bring down a massive maple tree that was diseased, Jason and his team did all the work from permits, cutting, cleaning up and taking extra precautions not to damage anything in our yard. True professionals - you cant go wrong hiring these guys!”
Bob Chawah · Google review
“The Koala team did an amazing job removing trees and trimming the growth on our property. Jason and his team are courteous and respectful while working and we were specially appreciative of the tree health advice. The Koala team shows that they really care about our Forest City in the work they do.”
Warren Helland · Google review
“The Koala team is really fantastic as whole. From their quick response in communication, setting appointments and project completion they are personable, professional and efficient. The team works seamlessly together and move instinctively as a unit… it is really quite unique to watch in action! There was never any question about the passion, knowledge and experience that was being brought onto our property and we have plans to bring the team back in the spring to work on another project.”
Erin Fenn · Google review
FAQ
Questions people ask after a storm
What should I do first after a storm damages a tree?
Keep clear of the area. If there is an immediate danger to people, call emergency services. Stay away from downed wires and anything touching them, and call the utility. Then call us at 226-224-5877, or send photos with a free quote request.
Does storm damage mean the tree has to come down?
Not automatically. Depending on the tree, the damage and its surroundings, the evidence may support pruning, support, monitoring or removal. We assess first, then recommend what’s right for the tree that remains.
What should I send you?
Tell us what happened and, where possible, include photos of the tree and the area. We’ll help work out whether the situation needs immediate attention and what the right next step is.
How quickly will you get back to me?
Our office hours are Mon to Fri, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, and we take storm calls after hours and on weekends. When storms hit, we work extended hours triaging and communicating so we can turn things around quickly. We aim to acknowledge and communicate with enquiries within a few hours.
Do you work with insurance companies?
Yes. We work with insurance companies.
Is the cost of storm work quoted the same way?
Yes. Storm work is quoted like any other job. We offer multiple payment options, credit card is available, and quotes are valid for 30 days.
Should I get a free quote or an assessment?
If it’s clear what needs to happen, such as a fallen limb to remove and clean up, a free quote is the place to start. If you’re not sure whether the tree that remains is safe to keep, start with the Certified Arborist Assessment. Not sure? Call us and we’ll help you choose.
Something changed. Let’s work out what happens next.
Tell us what happened and, where possible, include photos of the tree and the area. We’ll help work out whether it needs immediate attention and what the right next step is.
226-224-5877Prefer to talk? Call 226-224-5877 · Mon to Fri, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm · info@koalatree.ca