Ice Storms and Your Beautiful Trees

If you detect ice buildup on your trees, follow these steps to determine if the ice poses a
danger to your property or trees.
1. Do NOT Shake or Hit ice-laden Branches: It might be tempting to knock the ice
off, but frozen branches are very brittle and can snap easily. Shaking ice-laden
branches can actually cause more breakage than letting the ice melt naturally.
2. Visually Assess the Weight on Branches From a Safe Distance: Visually check if
the ice has significantly weighed down branches, particularly those that are
already weak, dead, or hanging over structures, power lines, or walkways.
Heavily bent branches or those in close proximity to buildings should be
considered higher risk and should be reported to the appropriate authorities. If
appropriate, place a barrier or caution tape around the danger zone to help divert
foot traffic.
3. Keep Your Distance: Avoid standing under or near large trees with heavy ice
accumulation. Ice can bring down limbs or even entire trees without warning.
4. Visually Inspect for Cracks or Splits From a Safe Distance: Inspect the branches
for any visible cracks, splits, or signs of stress. If branches are visibly damaged
or if there are sudden bends, the tree is more likely to experience breakage.
5. Evaluate Surrounding Environment: Consider any nearby structures, vehicles, or
pathways that could be impacted if branches or the tree itself falls. Take note of
the location of (and distance to) power lines, which could also be at risk of
damage and report to the appropriate authorities.
6. Monitor Weather Conditions: Pay attention to upcoming forecasts. Winds or
additional ice could increase the risk, especially if branches are already under
significant stress.
7. Call a Professional Arborist: If in doubt, it’s always safest to contact an ISA
Certified Arborist. At Beautiful Trees Inc., our ISA Certified Arborists can assess
the situation and provide guidance on whether the tree needs immediate
attention or pruning to reduce the risk of damage.
8. Wait it Out: If there are no immediate risks to persons, essential services or
property, you can wait for the ice to melt naturally. Once everything is thawed,
assess the damage. Broken or cracked branches should be pruned properly
using clean, sharp tools at the appropriate distance to the branch collar. It is
advisable to only remove what is necessary to facilitate rapid healing or prevent
hazards or disease/insect infestation. Failing to prune damaged branches often
leads to the unnecessary introduction of pathogens and pests and can be
avoided by proper pruning by a trained, experienced arborist.