Tree Care

How to Spot, Fix, and Prevent Winter Tree Damage

Winter can be harsh on trees. Cold weather, ice, snow, and wind all take a toll. As certified arborists, we see this every year. The good news? You can spot signs of winter tree damage early. With a little care, many problems can be fixed or prevented.

Here’s how.

Types of Winter Tree Damage

Animal Damage

During winter, animals like rabbits, deer, and rodents search for food. When food is scarce, they often turn to trees and shrubs. This can cause serious problems. You might notice bark stripped near the base of young trees—this is known as girdling. Once the bark is removed in a full circle, the tree can't survive. Chewed stems and twigs also lead to dieback, especially in smaller plants and shrubs.

To protect your trees, use physical barriers like chicken wire, hardware cloth, or plastic tree guards. These keep animals from chewing the bark. For larger areas, electric fencing can help. Repellants are another option, but they often need to be reapplied after snow or rain.

Sometimes animal damage is worse in areas with habitat reduction. When natural food sources are limited, animals move into yards and neighborhoods. Providing supplemental food elsewhere may reduce the damage, but results vary. Preventing winter food shortages for wildlife is complex, but keeping your trees protected is simple—wrap them before the snow falls.

Cold Damage

When extreme cold hits, trees can suffer. Some trees lose their buds, a problem known as bud death. Others develop shoot dieback, where the ends of branches die. This usually happens when non-acclimated tissue—parts of the tree not prepared for cold—gets exposed to sub-zero temperatures.

Shrubs like forsythia may flower poorly in spring due to cold-temperature injury. Ice storms also damage trees by adding weight and snapping limbs. The best way to protect your trees is to choose species with proper plant hardiness for your region.

Root Injury

Roots don’t handle freezing well. When the soil temperature drops too low, roots can’t take in water. This causes stress or root damage. In some cases, it leads to a fungal infection.

In fall, roots are still growing. That’s why frost heaving—when the soil expands and pushes roots upward—is dangerous. To prevent this, apply mulching around the base of your tree. Mulch keeps the soil warmer and reduces frozen soil problems. If damage happens, fungicide may be needed, but preventing injury with mulch and smart fertilizing is better.

Salt Damage

Salt used to deice streets can harm nearby trees. Salt spray and salt runoff reach roots and stems, causing salt injury. You might see foliar injury—brown tips or scorched-looking leaves—or even full dieback in spring.

Landscape plants near roads are especially at risk. Over time, salt buildup in the soil leads to long-term root injury and stem injury.

Planting salt-tolerant plant species helps in areas where salt use is heavy. You can also put up barriers or redirect runoff away from tree roots to avoid winter injury from salt exposure.

Snow and Ice Damage

Snow might look pretty, but too much of it leads to branch breakage. Trees with multiple leaders or weak branch attachments are most at risk. Ice storms freeze branches together, and heavy snow bends or snaps limbs.

Snow can act as insulation for roots, but once it melts and refreezes, it can worsen frost penetration. Trees with thin bark or girdling roots may not recover well. Proper pruning techniques in the fall help trees handle weight better.

To protect your trees, wrap young trunks and remove excess snow from heavy limbs carefully. Avoid shaking branches, which can cause more harm.

Sunscald Injury

Sunscald occurs when bright winter sun warms tree bark during the day. Later, temperature fluctuations cause rapid cooling, and the bark cracks. These elongated cracks typically show up on the windward side of the tree.

Smooth-barked trees like maple or beech are more vulnerable. Damage often affects inner bark, which dries out and may not recover.

To prevent sunscald, use reflective white tree guards, plastic tree guards, or tree wrap. These keep the bark temperature more stable. Don’t forget to remove wraps in early spring.

Drought stress also makes trees more likely to transpire water during sunny winter days, worsening the issue. Watering in late fall helps keep trees healthy.

Winter Injury to Evergreens

Evergreen plants face a unique challenge in winter. They lose water through their needles all season, even when the ground is frozen. This leads to winter browning or discoloration of evergreen foliage.

Trees like arborvitae, hemlock, and yew are often affected. Branch tips turn brown, and winter dieback can occur. Christmas tree greens and trees with a central leader or multiple stems need extra care.

Winter sun and wind are strongest on the north and northeast sides of buildings. That’s where damage is most likely. Using pine boughs for windbreaks or spraying anti-desiccants can help.

Keeping evergreens hydrated before winter, choosing the right species, and planting in protected areas are your best defenses.

How to Spot Winter Tree Damage

Winter can leave your trees looking fine on the outside while hiding serious problems underneath. Start by checking for broken or hanging branches. These are clear signs of winter tree damage and can fall without warning, risking injury or property damage. Next, look closely at the trunk. If you notice peeling bark, frost cracks, or splits, it means the tree has experienced stress from freezing temperatures.

Don’t forget to check the base. If the soil around the roots is pushed up or uneven, that’s a sign of frost heaving, which can damage the roots. A leaning tree is another red flag. If it started tilting after a storm, it may have root damage or a compromised trunk. Finally, watch how your tree behaves in spring. If leaves appear late or look brown, winter damage could be the cause.

How to Fix Winter Tree Damage

When it comes to fixing winter tree damage, act quickly. Start by pruning any broken or weakened limbs. This stops decay from spreading and keeps your tree healthy. If you spot a split trunk or major structural weakness, you may need to install cables or braces. These give the tree support while it recovers.

Sometimes the damage is too severe. If a tree is dead or becomes a danger, it’s best to remove it. Don’t wait for it to fall on its own. For minor damage, like cracked bark, trees can often heal themselves. But if the wound is large, call a certified arborist to assess the damage.

To help your tree bounce back, care for the soil. Mulch can insulate roots, and fertilizing in spring boosts growth. If road salt caused damage, flush the soil with water to remove salt buildup and protect the roots.

How to Prevent Winter Tree Damage

The best way to protect your trees is to get ahead of the problem. Prune before winter hits. Removing weak or dead limbs reduces the chance of storm damage. Adding mulch around the tree base also helps. It keeps roots warm and reduces stress.

Young or thin-barked trees are vulnerable to sunscald and frost cracks. Wrapping their trunks offers extra protection. Just remember to remove the wrap in spring. Salt is another winter enemy. Avoid using it near trees, or create a barrier to keep it away from roots.

If you’ve recently planted a tree, stake it for its first winter. This keeps it stable during wind or snow. And when choosing new trees, pick species that can handle cold weather. Not all trees are built for winter.

When to Call an Arborist

If you're unsure what your tree needs, don't guess. Call Strobert Tree Services. Our certified arborists know how to deal with winter tree damage. We offer professional pruning, safe tree removal, and custom healthcare plans for your trees.

We’ll assess the situation, explain your options, and help your trees recover. Most importantly, we’ll work with you to prevent problems next winter.

Final Tips

After each storm, check your trees. Watch for signs like leaning, broken limbs, or cracked bark. Add mulch when needed, wrap trees if they’re young, and remember to water during dry spells—even in winter.

Taking these steps now can save your trees and your wallet later. If you need help, contact Strobert Tree Services. We’re here to keep your trees strong, safe, and healthy all year long.