Above:Crepe Myrtle Tree Ensconced in Ice
Ice hit North Texas hard this weekend. Some of the effects were pretty, some were not.
Above: Broken Tree Limbs, Ice Storm Damage
We asked our fellow Master Gardener, Eric, for advice. Driving around seeing tree limbs down all over the city is distressing. Although we can’t save every tree from ice damage, we can head off some of the damage by heeding Eric’s words:
The main damage trees sustain during ice storms are limbs that break due to the excess weight from the ice that collects on the end of the tree limbs. This is usually due to improper pruning techniques that strip all the foliage away from the limbs except for a “Lions Tail” on the very end of the limb. The ice collects on the end of the branch thus creating a very strong downward vertical cantilever force. The longer the limb, the greater chance for failure.
Having a certified Arborist prune your trees will not guarantee your trees will never suffer broken limbs during an ice storm but you will suffer far fewer broken limbs than your neighbors who hire the drive by “tree toppers”. Proper “pre-storm” tree maintenance is the key to less damage for your trees.
If your trees do suffer ice damage, be sure to contact a professional tree care company to properly access the damage and suggest the best method of treatment.
Eric
Pictures by Starla
DALLAS GARDEN BUZZ 
Living in Avery, 160 mi to the northeast, we skated through the storm with no ice, and have have been sending caring thoughts your way, such as “POWER RESTORED.”
For some of us, it is difficult to put aside funds to call in the arborist, but our wonderful trees are so deserving of the attention!
So true Aggie, it is costly but so is loosing a huge tree limb, this is a good reminder to us all.
City lots are so small, we may have to be more careful so that our tree limbs do not fall on houses and parked cars.
Ann
I hate to see damage to any tree or bush but the tree covered in ice is beautiful!
Yes, it hurts driving all over our city and seeing so many trees chopped down or with great loss.
Waiting for spring!
Ann
Thanks for the good information. We use Steve Houser’s company Arborilogical Services.
I think they are the best. We did not have any damage thank goodness. Glenda