About ice storms and trees

Ice storms cause devasting stress on landscape trees. Some species of trees are naturally brittle and break easily even in minor storms. These include catalpa, boxelder, Chinese elm, cottonwood, poplars, silver maples, and willows. If the tree does possess hazards, such as broken, hanging limbs, or a split branch union (sometimes called a branch fork) you should have your tree care company do an assessment. This is important because you could be held liable if the hazard branch or tree falls and damages property or causes personal injury.

Storm Damage
Many shade and ornamental trees are damaged throughout the year by windstorms, ice and snow accumulations, lightning or other mechanical sources (automobiles, vandalism, etc.). Damage usually consists of a few broken branches. However, more severe damage such as splitting or pulling apart of branch unions, removal of large areas of bark, twisting and splitting of the trunk, or even uprooting may occur. These injuries usually result in a change in appearance of the tree and increase its susceptibility to a subsequent insect or disease attack. It is important that the damage be properly treated and repaired to maintain the health of the tree.

Assessing the Damage

Minor damage with only the smallest branches of the tree being injured.
Usually, injury of this type results in little or no permanent damage to the tree. All that is required is clean-up of the broken twigs and branches and perhaps a crown cleaning or thinning prune to restore a pleasing shape.

More severe damage consisting of large broken branches, split crotches and or removal of bark, and splitting or splintering of the trunk. Strong winds or heavy ice storms are the most probable causes. When a tree is severely damaged, the first question that must be answered is: "Is the condition of the tree such to make keeping it worthwhile?" A tree care professional should be consulted to help answer this question. Most arborists will take the time and effort to save a tree only if, when repairs are made, the tree will still be healthy, attractive, and of value to the property owner. The arborist may recommend removal of a tree that has brittle wood and a branch structure that makes it vulnerable to additional damage from future storms.