09/29/2026
WINTER PSA: Why SMALL breaks can be a BIG problem
It’s tempting to leave some small breaks like this to chance or ignore them until next season. However, broken or hanging branches can become a bigger problem over the winter months.
* Snow and ice add significant weight. A partially broken limb can already be structurally compromised. Accumulating snow or freezing rain can cause it to snap completely and fall.
* The break can spread. A cracked or torn branch may continue splitting into larger limbs or even compromise the main trunk or a major branch union.
* Branches can fall unexpectedly. Winter winds combined with weakened wood can bring down limbs onto roofs, vehicles, fences, power lines, sheds, or people/pets.
* More extensive tree damage. A hanging or improperly cut limb can act as a lever during high winds, potentially tearing away additional bark or wood.
* Water and decay can enter the tree. A jagged or improperly made cut can leave a large wound where moisture and decaying organisms can enter, potentially weakening the tree over time.
* Disease and insects can become an issue. Open wounds can provide opportunities for pathogens and wood-boring insects, depending on the tree species and local conditions.
* The tree can become structurally unbalanced. Removing or leaving damaged branches incorrectly can affect the tree’s weight distribution and increase stress on remaining limbs.
* Dead branches can become hazardous later. A branch that survives the first few storms may dry out and become increasingly brittle, creating a hazard well beyond winter.
* Ice storms can turn a minor defect into a major failure. This is particularly concerning for branches already cracked, hanging, or partially detached.
* Damage to property can become expensive. A limb falling onto a roof, vehicle, utility line, or structure can turn a relatively straightforward pruning job into an emergency tree-removal situation.
