Many areas were hit with ice storms that damaged trees. Here are some resources that may be of help.
The University of Missouri Extension suggests you: Assess the damage Make a decision Choose an option if repairing
Assess the Damage Before writing off a damaged tree as a goner, ask yourself the following questions: Other than the storm damage, is the tree basically healthy and vigorous? If the tree is basically healthy, is not creating a hazard, and did not suffer major structural damage, it will generally recover if first aid measures are applied. Are major limbs broken? The larger a broken limb is, the harder it will be for the tree to recover from the damage. If a majority of the main branches are gone, the tree may have little chance of surviving. Has the leader (the main upward-trending branch on most trees) been lost? In species where a leader is important to upward growth or desirable appearance, this may have to be a judgment call. The tree may live without its leader but, at best, would be a stunted or deformed version of the original. Is at least 50 percent of the tree's crown (branches) still intact? This is a good rule of thumb on tree survivability. A tree with less than half of its branches remaining may not be able to produce enough foliage to nourish the tree through the coming growing season. How big are the wounds where branches have been broken or bark has been damaged? The larger the wound is in relation to the size of the limb, the less likely it is to heal, leaving the tree vulnerable to disease and pests. A 2- to 3- inch wound on a 12-inch diameter limb will seal over with new bark within a couple of years. Are there remaining branches that can form a new branch structure? The remaining limbs will grow more vigorously as the tree tries to replace its missing foliage. Check if branches are in place that can eventually fill out the tree's appearance. Is the tree of a desirable species for its location? The best decision may be to remove the tree if the tree is not only seriously damaged but also is in the wrong location, such as a potentially tall tree beneath a power line, or is an undesirable species for the property. Once damage is assessed, you need to make a decision about how to proceed.
Along with the information in the image, I would add that you may want to proceed differently with an invasive tree like a Norway Maple or Siberian Elm. Perhaps this is an opportunity to replace the tree rather than spend large amounts having a professional prune or repair it.
The last image shows how to repair some common damage.
Storm Damaged Trees
Many areas were hit with ice storms that damaged trees. Here are some resources that may be of help.
The University of Missouri Extension suggests you:
Assess the damage
Make a decision
Choose an option if repairing
Assess the Damage
Before writing off a damaged tree as a goner, ask yourself the following questions:
Other than the storm damage, is the tree basically healthy and vigorous? If the tree is basically healthy, is not creating a hazard, and did not suffer major structural damage, it will generally recover if first aid measures are applied.
Are major limbs broken? The larger a broken limb is, the harder it will be for the tree to recover from the damage. If a majority of the main branches are gone, the tree may have little chance of surviving.
Has the leader (the main upward-trending branch on most trees) been lost? In species where a leader is important to upward growth or desirable appearance, this may have to be a judgment call. The tree may live without its leader but, at best, would be a stunted or deformed version of the original.
Is at least 50 percent of the tree's crown (branches) still intact? This is a good rule of thumb on tree survivability. A tree with less than half of its branches remaining may not be able to produce enough foliage to nourish the tree through the coming growing season.
How big are the wounds where branches have been broken or bark has been damaged? The larger the wound is in relation to the size of the limb, the less likely it is to heal, leaving the tree vulnerable to disease and pests. A 2- to 3- inch wound on a 12-inch diameter limb will seal over with new bark within a couple of years.
Are there remaining branches that can form a new branch structure? The remaining limbs will grow more vigorously as the tree tries to replace its missing foliage. Check if branches are in place that can eventually fill out the tree's appearance.
Is the tree of a desirable species for its location? The best decision may be to remove the tree if the tree is not only seriously damaged but also is in the wrong location, such as a potentially tall tree beneath a power line, or is an undesirable species for the property.
Once damage is assessed, you need to make a decision about how to proceed.
Along with the information in the image, I would add that you may want to proceed differently with an invasive tree like a Norway Maple or Siberian Elm. Perhaps this is an opportunity to replace the tree rather than spend large amounts having a professional prune or repair it.
The last image shows how to repair some common damage.
http://agebb.missouri.edu/agforest/archives/v23n1/gh2.php
Thank you to Ontario Master Gardener Claudette Sims for this information and graphic