Trees that break the worst
Fast growing trees with weak wood and tight branch angles take the most damage. In our area that usually means Bradford and Callery pear, silver maple, Siberian elm, hackberry and river birch. Oaks, hickories and bald cypress tend to hold up much better.
What to do in the first days
- Stay out from under loaded trees until the ice melts
- Do not shake or knock ice off branches, which causes more breaks
- Stay well away from wires tangled in limbs
- Photograph damage for insurance before cleanup starts
- Make a list of trees with hangers or split trunks
Deciding what can be saved
Once the ice is gone, look at how much of each tree's crown is left. A tree that kept more than half its canopy and has a solid trunk can usually be pruned back into shape. Trees with split main trunks or most of the crown gone are usually better removed.