Ice storms in urban areas pose unique challenges for homeowners and tree care professionals. Ice storms are often overlooked as a main cause of urban tree damage because the results of the damage are often not noticed until spring when the trees begin to leaf out, or more specifically, don't leaf out. In addition, evaluation of ice damaged trees is frequently postponed until "the weather gets better," until it is warmer outside. Ice Storms damage trees through:   Branches  - broken, twisted, cracked        branches   Trunk  - broken, cracked, bent trunks   Roots  - root failure The links above to "branches," "trunk" and "roots" will take you to additional information and photos to identify specific damage to your tree. Christmas of 2000 brought one of the worst ice storms that south central and southeast Oklahoma had seen in years. People walked swiftly past trees and power lines, trying to avoid the dread sound of ice cracking because it almost surely meant more tree and line failure. Ardmore, Oklahoma 2000 © Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation Determining the extent of damage will take you through the process of evaluating the damage to your tree. Last Updated: