The ice storm that swept the island last week damaged nearly 70 per cent of trees in the city of Summerside and left enough hanging and broken tree limbs in P.E.I. National Park that the park has had to close some trails.

Trent Williams, horticulturist and arborist for Summerside, told CBC News Wednesday he has been busy surveying the damage.

"Spruce, pine seemed to get hit fairly well, also some of your softer softwoods. Everything from immature … newly planted trees … up to 60-foot, 70-foot mature trees [is damaged]," said Williams.

The only bright side is that there haven't been many trees completely uprooted, said Williams.

The clean up process has begun, but it will take weeks if not months to complete. More trees than usual will likely have to be planted by the city this spring, he said.

Officials at P.E.I. National Park are also busy cleaning up. Damage was particularly bad in the Cavendish area, said Bill Courtney, asset manager for the park.

"Our staff are first focusing on correcting any safety problems. There are situations where we have limbs that are broken but not fallen, so they are overhead hazards," said Courtney.

"Secondly, we will be taking care of any trees that have fallen on the trails but don't pose an immediate safety hazard. The full extent of tree damage isn't known at this time, but our staff are on the trails this week to assess the volume of damage."

Most of the trees that were severely harmed were hardwood species, such as poplar and birch, he said.