Winter storms don't create weak trees — they expose them. The dead, defective and leaning trees that stand quietly through summer become genuine liabilities once snow, ice and winter wind arrive. December is the time to deal with them, before the weather does it for you.
Which trees are most at risk
Winter loads a tree in ways summer never does, and certain trees are far more likely to fail under it:
- Dead trees — brittle, unpredictable, and only getting worse each freeze.
- Trees with major defects — large cracks, hollow trunks, big cavities or extensive decay.
- Leaning trees — especially any with a recent lean or heaved roots.
- Heavy, unbalanced canopies — that catch snow and ice load on one side.
Why before the storm beats after
A hazardous tree removed on a planned schedule is a straightforward job. The same tree failing in an ice storm is an emergency — often onto a roof, a car, a fence or a power line, with everyone in the region calling for help at once. Removing a known-hazard tree in early winter takes the worst-case scenario off the table entirely.
A dead tree will come down. Your only real choice is whether it happens on your schedule or the storm's.
Take the risk off the table
If you've been eyeing a dead or leaning tree near the house and telling yourself you'll deal with it in spring, December is the better call. Book a removal or assessment — and frozen ground means we can often do it with minimal impact to your yard. For an active hazard, call (226) 263-2319 any time.