How to Save Your Ice and Snow-Damaged Trees in Kansas City

A tree branch covered in thick ice buildup with snow covering the ground after an ice storm in Kansas City, Missouri.

Dealing with ice and snow-damaged trees? Get expert advice on recovery, prevention, and keeping your Kansas City yard safe after the storm from Arbor Masters.

Table of Contents
    Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

    Kansas City’s ice storm on January 4, 2025, brought more than just freezing temperatures – it brought down tree branches, snarled traffic on icy roads, and even delayed the Chief’s flight to Denver. After a crushing 38-0 loss to the Broncos, some locals might say they would’ve been better off staying grounded at home.

    Although the Chiefs can pick themselves up and dust themselves off, your trees don’t have the same ability to bounce back on their own. Storm-damaged trees require prompt attention to prevent further risks and promote a healthy recovery. Here’s what tree care experts advise when it comes to saving your ice and snow-damaged trees.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Certain tree species and characteristics make some trees more prone to ice damage, making regular pruning and care important.
    • After an ice storm, inspect your trees for broken branches, leaning trunks, or split bark – but resist the urge to remove ice or snow yourself to avoid causing more damage.
    • Certified Arborists can help your trees recover through services like corrective pruning, cabling, and bracing, giving them the best chance to recover and thrive.
    • With unpredictable winter weather becoming more common, routine tree care like fertilization, pest monitoring, and inspections is necessary to keep your trees strong and healthy year-round.

    Trees That Are More Likely to Sustain Damage from Ice and Snow

    Not all trees respond to winter storms in the same way. Certain species and structural characteristics make some trees more prone to ice and snow damage, especially in KCMO, where a variety of tree types thrive. Here are the trees that warrant extra attention during stormy weather:

    • Soft-Wooded Trees: Fast-growing species like willows, poplars, birches, ornamental pears, and elms often have weaker wood that is prone to cracking under the stress of ice. Their growth patterns, such as crowded branches or stiffly upright forms, make it harder for snow and ice to shed, increasing the risk of breakage.
    • Evergreen Trees and Shrubs: Retaining foliage year-round, evergreens like white pine and spruce are particularly vulnerable as their dense sprays of needles trap heavy snow and ice. When the weight becomes too much, branches can snap, or entire tree sections may break apart.
    • Multi-Leader Trees: Species with multiple main stems, such as river birch and Bradford pear, are prone to splitting when ice accumulates unevenly. The added pressure on their weaker branch connections makes structural failure more likely during storms.
    • Fastigiate Trees: Upright species, like Lombardy poplar and eastern red cedar, often face significant damage during ice storms. Their tall, narrow shape allows ice to build up along vertical branches, causing bending, cracking, or breakage under the weight.
    • Older or Weakened Trees: Mature trees, or those compromised by disease, decay, or poor pruning, are at heightened risk because their weakened limbs may struggle to hold up under the added strain of winter ice.

    Tree split in half under the weight of heavy ice, with branches encased in a thick layer of ice following a winter storm.

    Tree Damage to Watch for After an Ice Storm

    Caring for trees after an ice storm starts with assessing the damage safely. Here’s what to look for:

    • Broken and hanging branches
    • Torn or peeling bark
    • Broken or damaged cabling or supports
    • Trees and branches bent under the weight of snow or ice
    • Trees that have split apart
    • Leaning trees
    • Missing or broken leaders (the main upward branch)
    • Split or cracked branches, which may not always be visible from the ground

    Be Patient and Avoid Making the Situation Worse

    It’s tempting to try and remove snow or ice yourself, but this can often do more harm than good. Striking branches with a blunt object or shaking them can cause brittle, frozen wood to snap. Instead, allow the ice and snow to melt naturally. Most trees are resilient and will gradually straighten back up as the weather warms.

    Will My Tree Recover from Ice Damage?

    Whether or not a tree recovers from ice damage depends on the extent of the harm and the care it receives afterward. While some trees can bounce back naturally, professional help from a Certified Arborist significantly improves the chances of a full recovery. Here’s how an arborist can assist in restoring your tree’s health and stability:

    Corrective Pruning

    Damaged branches need to be removed carefully to prevent further harm and encourage healthy regrowth. A Certified Arborist will prune strategically, eliminating broken limbs while rebalancing the remaining crown to maintain the tree’s structural integrity and aesthetics.

    Cabling and Bracing

    For trees with severe damage but strong potential to recover, cabling and bracing may be used to stabilize the structure. This technique involves installing supports to reduce the risk of further breakage while the tree heals.

    Staking Leaning Trees

    A small tree that’s leaning after a storm may indicate root damage. Proper staking can help it regain its upright position and establish stability. However, if the root damage is extensive, the tree may not recover, and removal might be the safest option.

    Removing Severely Damaged Trees

    In cases where a tree is too damaged to recover or poses a safety risk to your property, removal becomes the only option (one most tree care companies don’t take lightly). A Certified Arborist can safely assess the situation and recommend removal if necessary to restore safety and protect surrounding structures.

    The Impact of Changing Winter Patterns on Tree Health

    Winter weather is no longer predictable. From mild temperatures to sudden, severe storms, trees are facing increasingly challenging conditions. As Jacquelyn Palmer, Arbor Masters’ Plant Healthcare Program Manager, explains about the most recent Kansas City, Missouri, ice storm:

    “When I was a kid, we had glorious ice storms that would totally coat the trees, making them glisten (and breakage was common). It was not like that at all.”

    This shift in weather patterns highlights how global warming is making severe weather even more unpredictable. Ice storms, heavy snow, and rapid freezes can leave trees vulnerable to breakage, disease, and stress.

    This unpredictability means we need to prepare our trees for a wide range of potential weather scenarios. Healthy, well-maintained trees are better equipped to handle everything from a light frost to a worst-case ice storm. Investing in winter tree care preparation now will not only protect your trees, but also save you from costly damage later.

    How to Prevent Ice and Snow Damage to Trees

    Preventing ice and snow damage starts long before winter arrives. Here are some important tree care tasks that should be done regularly to ensure your trees are healthy and prepared for harsh Kansas City, Missouri, weather:

    • Annual Tree Inspections: Schedule a yearly inspection with a Certified Arborist to identify any structural weaknesses, signs of decay, or pest infestations. Early detection and treatment can prevent minor issues from escalating into major damage during winter storms.
    • Regular Pruning: Proper pruning removes weak, dead, or overextended branches that are most likely to break under the weight of ice and snow. Structural pruning in younger trees helps develop a strong, balanced framework that can better withstand winter stress.
    • Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of trees to regulate soil temperature, retain moisture, and reduce root stress during freeze-thaw cycles. Organic mulch also improves soil health over time, contributing to overall tree resilience.
    • Deep Watering During Dry Spells: Even in winter, trees need water to maintain their strength, especially if the soil is dry before freezing temperatures set in. Deep watering during late fall or when mid-winter temperatures are above freezing helps keep roots hydrated and less prone to stress-related damage.
    • Fertilization: Providing slow-release nutrients in the spring and fall that are tailored to your soil and tree species promotes strong root development and overall health. Healthy trees are better equipped to recover from the stress of ice and snow accumulation.
    • Pest and Disease Monitoring: Pests and diseases can weaken trees, making them more susceptible to winter damage. Regular monitoring and timely treatment reduce vulnerabilities and help trees stay strong year-round.

    Tree covered in ice, bending completely under the weight in front of a Kansas City home.

    Dealing with Ice or Snow-Damaged Trees? Arbor Masters Is Here to Help!

    Ice and snow can leave even the healthiest trees vulnerable to serious damage, but Arbor Masters is here to help. From professional pruning and cabling to emergency tree removal, our Certified Arborists have the tools and expertise to handle storm-damaged trees safely and efficiently.

    With multiple offices around the Kansas City area, we’re always close by when you need us most. Whether you’re dealing with hazardous branches, leaning trees, or just need a full property assessment, our 24/7 emergency tree services are ready to respond.

    Don’t let storm damage compromise the beauty and safety of your property. Visit our locations page to find the Arbor Masters office nearest you.