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.