Minnesota Winter Tree Care: Your Local Guide to Tree Protection [2025]

From Edina's mature oaks to West Metro’s towering maples, Twin Cities homeowners know the toll Minnesota winters can take on our trees. Whether you're in Eden Prairie dealing with ice storms or protecting century-old elms in St. Paul's Summit Hill, this guide will help you safeguard your trees during the harsh Minnesota winters.

Winter Tree Damage in the Twin Cities: Area-Specific Concerns

Different parts of the metro face unique challenges:

• Wayzata and Lake Minnetonka area: Lakefront wind damage

• Edina and South Minneapolis: Heavy snow accumulation on aged trees

• Plymouth and Maple Grove: Ice storm vulnerability

• Highland Park and Mac-Groveland: Historic tree preservation

• Woodbury and Eastern Suburbs: Open exposure to winter storms

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Regardless of which area you’re in, you’ll want to wait to make sure the storm has passed and that it is safe to go outside. Once you’re able to get outside, you need to understand what has been damaged. Assess the damage by asking yourself the following questions:

Are there small branches that have been damaged? 

Are larger branches damaged?

Before you go any further, it is important to make sure there are no tangled or downed power lines. It’s also important to understand if the tree is on your property or if it is the responsibility of your city. If that is the case, you’ll want to phone the city directly to advise them of the situation. 

Safe Snow and Ice Removal Techniques

Once you’ve assessed the damage and can understand how much of your tree is intact there is a natural tendency to shake the branches so that you can remove the stress on the tree from the accumulated snow or ice. Don’t do this. We can’t stress this enough. Shaking the branches may actually cause them to snap and damage the tree more seriously. 

Instead, follow these safe techniques:

• Use a pole with a rubber tip to gently push up on branches from below

• Keep a safe distance to avoid falling snow and ice

• Allow ice to melt naturally to prevent branch damage

• Clear fallen branches only after ensuring no power lines are involved

Professional Winter Tree Care Services

When winter storms cause significant damage, professional help is often necessary. Our team of certified arborists can provide:

Emergency Storm Services

• 24/7 storm damage response throughout the Twin Cities

• Hazard assessment and mitigation

• Emergency branch removal

• Structural support installation

Preventative Tree Care

• Winter pruning for storm resistance

• Crown thinning to reduce snow load

• Structural support system installation

• Health assessments and treatment plans

The goal of pruning after a storm is to minimize the amount of exposed damage. Any exposed wounds on the tree can increase the chance of pathogens or diseases infecting the tree which can cause additional problems. Pruning will help minimize the risk of any objectionable branches from failing and can eliminate any weak branch attachments. There are lots of tips on pruning but generally, this is the best time to give us a call. 

Preventative Winter Tree Care

The most effective protection for your trees is to ensure that they are healthy and well-maintained. We have a full schedule of annual pruning and care that you should be following for your tree. Proper pruning and removal create a healthy tree that can be more likely to withstand a storm successfully. Typically the best time of the year to prune your trees is during the dormant winter months. You can check out our blog here to understand the pruning schedule better.

Fall Preparation

• Schedule professional pruning before winter

• Remove dead, diseased, or weakened branches

• Assess overall tree health

• Consider cabling for vulnerable trees

Winter Monitoring

• Regular inspections during and after storms

• Prompt removal of damaged limbs

• Professional assessment of any structural concerns

• Documentation of progressive damage

When to Call the Professionals

An I.S.A. certified arborist can assess the situation and develop a recommended treatment plan for your tree. Our 24-hour storm assistance is also a great resource if trees become a danger during a storm. If this is the case, call us as soon as possible so we can send a team to your house and ensure that any damage is minimized. We have specialized equipment (such as lifts) and training to minimize the risk of accessing damaged trees. We also can provide steel or dynamic bracing for damaged trees and crown raising, which will provide clearance for buildings and homes from any limbs that are carrying extra weight from snow or ice. 

Recovery and Long-term Care of Trees

Concerned customers generally ask us what the likelihood is for a tree to recover from any damage and while the answer varies case-by-case, a good measurement is if the tree’s central leader is intact, and still has at least 50 percent of its crown, the tree will likely recover. 

Needlecast Disease: A Guide to Protecting Your Evergreens

Ever noticed your evergreen trees looking a little sparse or dropping needles prematurely? These signs could point to needlecast disease—a common but often misunderstood issue that can take a toll on your trees if left unchecked. 

Needlecast can quietly devastate your evergreens, leaving them weak, unsightly, and vulnerable. If you've noticed thinning foliage or discolored needles on your pines, spruces, or firs, it's time to take action. At Birch Tree Care, we believe that informed care is the first step to preserving the health and beauty of your landscape. That’s why we’ve put together this this guide to help you identify, treat, and prevent needlecast disease in your evergreens.

What Is Needlecast Disease?

Needlecast is a fungal disease that primarily affects conifers. It gets its name from the way infected needles turn brown or yellow and eventually fall off the tree, creating a “cast” of needles on the ground below. While it starts as more of an appearance issue, if left untreated, it can weaken the tree and even lead to death over time.

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Symptoms Of Needlecast 

Spotting and identifying needlecast early on is very important when it comes to preventing long-term damage to your trees. Here’s what you should look out for:

#1 Discolored needles

Needles may turn yellow, reddish-brown, or brown, typically starting at the base of the tree and moving upward. This discoloration often occurs before the needles are shed.

#2 Premature needle drop

Infected needles fall off earlier than healthy ones, leaving branches bare and vulnerable. This is often one of the earliest and most noticeable signs.

#3 Visible fungal signs

Look closely at the needles, especially on the underside. You may spot tiny black or dark brown dots, which are fungal fruiting bodies releasing spores.

#4 Thinning canopy

As needlecast progresses, the tree’s foliage becomes noticeably sparse, particularly on the lower branches where the disease tends to take hold first. This thinning can give the tree an unbalanced or unhealthy appearance.

Spotting these symptoms early allows you to take action before the disease spreads further.

Common Causes and Spread

Needlecast disease is caused by fungi such as Rhizosphaera or Lophodermium. The fungi thrive in wet, humid conditions and spread through:

• Wind and rain: Spores are easily carried to nearby trees.

• Infected plant material: Fallen needles can harbor the fungus, spreading it to the soil and other trees.

• Improper spacing: Trees planted too close together are more susceptible due to limited air circulation.

How to Treat Needlecast Disease

If your trees are already showing signs of needlecast, don’t panic. Here are the steps to manage and treat the disease:

1. Prune affected branches: Remove infected branches to stop the spread of the fungus. Be sure to dispose of pruned material carefully to prevent contamination.

2. Apply fungicide: Use a fungicide specifically designed for needlecast. Apply in the spring when new needles emerge, and repeat as needed throughout the growing season. Did you know that our team of experienced plant health care experts provide professional-grade treatments for Needlecast? Contact us today for a free quote.

3. Improve air circulation: Thin out surrounding vegetation to increase airflow and reduce humidity around the tree. Our arborists can help assess your landscape and recommend adjustments.

4. Remove fallen needles: Regularly rake and dispose of infected needles to prevent the fungus from spreading. Proper disposal is important to minimize further contamination.

5. Consult an arborist: Severe infections may require professional evaluation and treatment. Our team of certified arborists at Birch Tree Care can diagnose the severity of the disease and provide custom solutions to restore your tree’s health.

Our team understands that every tree and property is unique. Whether it’s creating a treatment plan or applying fungicides, we’re here to support you at every step.

Preventing Needlecast Disease

When it comes to protecting your evergreens, prevention is your best bet. Start by choosing species like Norway spruce, which are naturally more resistant to needlecast. Make sure your trees have enough space to breathe—good air circulation can work wonders in keeping fungi at bay. Avoid overhead watering, as it creates the kind of moist environment fungi thrive in. 

Additionally, regular upkeep, like pruning dead branches and keeping the area under your trees clean, goes a long way in creating a healthier environment. Finally, don’t skip inspections; keeping an eye out for early symptoms, especially during wet seasons, can save you a lot of trouble later.

At Birch Tree Care, we make prevention simple. Our services include routine inspections, strategic pruning, and custom tree care plans to ensure your evergreens remain healthy and resilient all year round. Let us help you take the guesswork out of tree care so you can enjoy a thriving garden. 

How Birch Tree Care Can Help

At Birch Tree Care, we specialize in diagnosing and treating tree diseases, including needlecast. Our services include routine inspections, strategic pruning, and custom tree care plans to ensure your evergreens remain healthy and resilient all year round. 

If you choose to work with us, our arborists will:

• Perform thorough inspections to identify needlecast and other issues.

• Develop a customized treatment plan for your trees.

• Apply professional-grade fungicides for effective disease control.

• Provide ongoing care to ensure your trees stay healthy year-round.

Don’t let needlecast take over your evergreens. Contact us today for professional advice and treatment options. For more insights on maintaining tree health through every season, explore our blog on How to Winterize Your Trees and Storm Damage Recovery Tips.

Soil Injections: Everything You Need to Know About Removing Tree Pests

There are many purposes for soil injections from fertilizing your garden to stabilizing your property’s foundation. One of the most effective and necessary purposes for your tree’s health is pest control. 

Common Tree Pests

An invasive insect known as emerald ash borer (EAB) is known to attack Ash trees. This destructive species will hatch underneath the bark and feed on it, creating tunnels that disrupt the flow of nutrients in the tree. Providing the tree with the correct insecticides can prevent these insects from harming its system and allow it to thrive.

One tree pest that affects trees such as birch, aspen, and oak is the forest tent caterpillar, eating all leaves in mass outbreak groups. They cause trees to weaken with consistent defoliation and commonly kill trees by eating everything on them. According to the Forest Health Annual Reports, the next peak population in Minnesota may occur between 2024 and 2029, making it a perfect time to consider soil injections.

What Are Soil Injections?

Soil injections are designed to provide trees with systemic insecticides that allow them to fight off and repel infestations that may occur. This method begins with injecting the surrounding soil and root area with liquid chemicals until moist. The tree’s height and trunk size are taken into consideration when measuring the dosage, as to not shock the tree and cause further damage, leading to an expensive repair. The root system will then absorb the insecticide and distribute it to major feeding points such as leaves and bark. Once the chemicals are in its system, the pests will die after feeding on them. If done incorrectly, the tree may experience unnatural decay causing its health to significantly decline. 

Benefits of Soil Injections

Soil injections will provide long-lasting strength for your tree, eliminating the risk of infestations that would otherwise harm it. Injecting insecticides into the soil not only protects your tree from infestations, but surrounding areas from aphids that may be taking over your garden. Aphids are sugar-hungry insects that will cause your leaves to discolor and dry from consuming the nutrients from the root systems in your garden. Repelling these insects can be crucial for the survival of the ecosystem in your garden.

One complimentary benefit to this approach is limiting the use of chemicals in the affected area. Regular pesticides from a spray bottle can get blown into healthy plants that may become damaged. Furthermore, the spray can negatively impact beneficial insects that inhabit nearby plants or even the affected tree. Soil Injections combat this with a more targeted exposure, removing unhealthy insects in a specific spot.

However, insects aren’t always the problem. Like us, trees have immune systems that can become compromised from diseases. A common and often fatal disease is oak wilt, affecting all species of oak trees in Minnesota. It is caused by the fungus Bretziella fagacearum that grows on the sapwood layer of the tree, restricting water and nutrient flow. Oak wilt kills different oak species at different rates, being as fast as 2 months. The 2 approaches to saving a tree from oak wilt are soil injections or tree injections.  

There are alternative methods such as tree trunk injections, where a small hole is drilled into the trunk and the insecticides are applied directly. Soil injections eliminate some of the risks that come with open tree wounds in the trunks and root system

Best Practices to Prevent Infestations

Common causes of tree infestations stem from poor sanitation, lack of irrigation, improper pruning, and overfertilization. These create environments that are inviting for pests that can stress your tree, compromising its healthy system. Professional tree trimming is an effective way to avoid potential pests and limit the use of chemicals. Keeping your trees and shrubs evenly cut will deter pests that will otherwise defoliate them.

Our Process

At Birch Tree Care, our certified arborists are equipped to do a thorough evaluation of your tree's state. From there, they can determine which method is appropriate for your needs with their knowledge of tree care and provide you with a free estimate. If the condition of your tree is too far gone, our team is trained for the worst-case scenario and will efficiently perform a tree removal.

When Should You Consider Tree Removal

Trees can significantly enhance the look and appeal of your property and landscape. While they offer numerous benefits, there comes a time when their presence can become more of a burden than a blessing. Knowing when to remove a tree is crucial for gardening, property maintenance, and overall safety.

Storm Damage

Minnesota is known to get windy, and monitoring your trees' health can save you a lot of money and even lives. Trees often suffer damage during storms, with leaves and branches catching the breeze. Poorly maintained trees are prone to harmful twisting, leading to splits in branches and critical structural points. Observing these signs may tell you that it’s time for your tree to be removed before there is any further damage to the surrounding property or even other trees.

Leaning Trees

During these heavy winds, developing trees may be pushed, causing them to lean to one side and eventually onto another tree. This may also be caused by a lack of sunlight and long periods of heavy rain, which alters the direction your trees grow in. The weight of the trunk and branches will pull the tree to the side and slowly rip the roots out of the ground, compromising its structure. A visible root system is a probable sign to remove the tree. 

Dead Trees

A tree's structure can also be compromised if it's dead. This can sometimes go unnoticed without investigation. The easiest signs to spot are discolored, dry leaves or branches that fall off easily. Damage from decay or storms, such as cracked sections of branches or the trunk, poses a significant threat due to their unpredictability. 

Infestations

Diseases and insect infestations can accelerate a tree's decline, necessitating early removal. Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a destructive species, significantly increases the need for professional tree removal. EAB damages the tissue beneath the bark, disrupting nutrient flow and slowly killing the tree. Visible cracks in the bark and feeding holes are clear signs of infestation. In late stages, when treatments won't save the tree, professional removal is essential.

Our Process

At Birch Tree Care, our professional tree removal process begins with a thorough evaluation of your trees' condition, followed by a free estimate. We handle all necessary communications with your neighbors and coordinate with the power company to ensure all power lines are safe to work around, keeping your property secure.

We are committed to your safety and well-being, and equipped with the necessary tools for efficient tree removal services.

Contact us today to book a free quote!