The ice storm of December 2008 took our community by surprise and left a wake of damaged and broken trees. Consider installing small new trees next to older specimens to mitigate the mess! Tree species vary in their resistance to ice accumulation. A tree’s susceptibility to ice storm damage are increased by certain characteristics, such as weak branch junctures, dead and decaying branches, a broad crown, and fine branching. Planting a diverse urban forest will reduce damage caused by severe ice storms.
Below is a list of trees that typically have stronger wood, and traditionally break less in storms. [Source: US Forest Service Ice Storm Resistant Trees]