Tornado destroys up to 20 000 maple trees in Quebec, loss of revenue equivalent to 60 – 100 years, Canada

Between 15 000 to 20 000 maple trees were snapped by a powerful tornado that pummelled through the town of Sainte-Rose-de-Watford in the Chaudiere-Appalaches region, Quebec, on September 4, 2019.

More than 4 500 of those trees were grown by maple tree producer and Ferme Jany co-owner, Richard Fleury. His great-grandparents were the first to tend to the farm's maple trees, beginning the family tradition that produced five generations of maple producers.

Fleury described the outcome as a "total desolation." Furthermore, he said that the loss of revenue is equivalent to 60 to 100 years.

"It will take two to three generations before it goes back to what it was," Fleury added. "Several thousands of hours of work went into all that."

Mayor Hector Provencal assessed the damage and said that estimated losses are between 135 000 and 155 000 dollars a year.

According to Environment Canada, the storm came without a warning. One of the many other thunderstorms that moved through the southern region of Quebec spawned an EF1-category tornado, a scale with estimated wind speeds between 117 km/h to 180 km/h (73 mph to 112 mph).

"Analysis of satellite imagery clearly shows a ground track corresponding to that of a tornado having traveled 3.5 kilometers (2 miles) with a width of 200 to 300 meters, (656 to 984 feet)," the organization said.

Provencal also assured that Quebec's Public Security Ministry will inspect the affected areas.

Julie Celestial

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