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Midwest’s Extreme Temperatures and How They Affect Your Trees

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healthy trees affected by extreme Midwest temperatures.

Recently, the entire Chicago suburbs experienced extremely cold weather, with temperatures dropping to -9°F in some areas. Every homeowner should know that severe frost can cause significant damage to the trees around us.

A sharp drop in temperature causes physical changes to both the appearance and the internal structure of trees, leading to stress for many species and reducing their ability to regenerate.

What Signs Indicate Frost Damage on Your Trees?

Frost damage is primarily caused by extremely low temperatures and sudden temperature changes. These conditions can lead to frost damage on branches, cracks in the bark, and root damage. Even though it may be cold, the bark of the tree will be warm to the touch from the sun heating it up. As soon as the sun sets, the water within the tree flash freezes, causing splitting.
Weakened trees also become more vulnerable to biotic (living) factors, such as fungal infections and pests, which often enter through frost cracks. To protect your trees, it is crucial not only to prevent abiotic damage but also to address biotic issues promptly.

After or even during a frost event, you may notice several signs of damage:

  • Bark Cracks (“Frost Cracks”)

Vertical cracks in the trunk are caused by the rapid contraction of tree tissues due to sudden temperature drops.

Cracked tree trunk showing damage from extreme winter temperatures.

  • Branch Frosting

If ice builds up on branches, it’s an early sign they might break eventually. Damaged branches may sag or appear unstable.

Branches with icicles formed due to extreme winter temperatures and freezing conditions.

  • Ice in the Soil Around the Tree

Frozen soil indicates that roots may be suffering from restricted access to water and nutrients.

Exposed tree roots on a snowy surface, illustrating the impact of winter weather on tree health.

What Trees Are the Most Vulnerable?

 Certain tree species are more sensitive to extreme cold. These include:

Illustration showing various tree species sensitive to extreme cold, including Japanese Red Maple, Norway Maple, and fruit trees.

  •  Japanese Red Maple: These ornamental trees have thin bark that is easily damaged by frost.
  •  Norway Maple: Often suffers from bark cracks and frostbite.
  •  Peach and Cherry Trees: Their buds and thin branches are especially sensitive to sudden temperature changes.
  • Young Trees: Regardless of species, young trees lack sufficient protective bark and robust root systems.

To protect vulnerable trees, mulch the soil around their roots and insulate their trunks before winter. Prevention is the best defense!

How to Care for Trees During Extreme Cold


Proper care can help trees survive the cold months and stay healthy. Here are some essential tips:

  • Water Deeply in the Fall

Provide trees with sufficient moisture before frost sets in. Moist soil helps roots better tolerate freezing. This is especially important for young trees that are not yet established.

  • Mulch to Protect Roots

Mulch acts as a natural insulator. Create a 3-4 inch layer of mulch around the base of the tree to retain heat and moisture. Leave a small gap between the mulch and the trunk to prevent rot.

  • Protect the Trunk from Frost

To prevent cracks, wrap the trunks of young trees with special protective materials.

  • Pruning

Prune dead, weak, or diseased branches before winter to reduce the risk of them breaking under the weight of snow or ice. However, avoid pruning during severe frosts, as this can cause additional damage.

  • Fertilizing and Soil Health

Apply fertilizers in the spring and fall to strengthen the root system.

Winter can be challenging, but with proper preparation, your trees will not only survive but
thrive in the spring. Take care of your greenery, and it will reward you with longevity and beauty.

Not sure about the health of your trees after extreme weather? Schedule a free consultation with one of our certified arborists! 

5 Tree Care Tips to Help Your Trees Thrive During Winter

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Old Man Winter has been breathing down your neck with ice, snow, wind, and extended periods of below-freezing temperatures. You can defy the cold with warm coats, hot beverages, and fluffy slippers—your trees, however, are exposed to the elements and may need some extra care to survive.

Here are five tree care tips that you can use to help your trees thrive during the remainder of the winter season.

1. Winter watering
Many trees go dormant during winter months, but that doesn’t mean they are dead. Winter is a dry season, and many trees can get brittle and dry without additional watering.

It’s best to water your trees a few times a month, ideally when the soil is dry and the temperature is at least 40 degrees. You should water between the tree trunk and the drip line. Give your tree a good drink, but do not leave the soil soggy, as this creates a risk of root rot or suffocation. Water earlier in the day to let the water soak into the soil, which makes a protective layer of warmth during night-time freezing.

2. Insulated covering
Just like you, your tree will stay warmer if it’s given a coat. Giving your tree an insulated covering is a great way to trap warmth in the earth near the tree roots, protecting your tree from damage that comes with freezing temperatures.

For coverings, you can use burlap, old sheets, tarps, or insulated coverings you can purchase from garden centers. Make sure the covering is large enough to extend from the tree trunk to the ground to trap heat in. You’ll also want to be sure that your insulated covering is not interfering with the tree’s foliage.

Another benefit of insulating your trees is to protect them from sun scalding and the harsh winter winds that dry out and strip away the bark. Properly insulating your trees will go a long way to keep your trees healthy during winter and thriving when the growing season returns.

3. Mulching
Maintaining a nice layer of mulch around the base of your tree will protect the roots and help retain moisture and warmth. Leave a few inches of space from the tree trunk to the edge of your mulch—this discourages rodents from building nests at the base of your tree and then chewing on the bark. Winter wind and snow can erode your mulch pile, so keep some fresh mulch on hand to replenish it as needed.

4. Pruning
Pruning your trees is a vital part of tree maintenance. The ideal time for pruning is toward the end of the tree’s dormant season (November to April). You can remove any limbs damaged by the winter weather, and the lack of foliage will make it easier to determine what to prune.

By pruning during the tree’s dormancy, you make room for new growth once spring begins. If you are concerned about pruning your trees without additional information, contact a licensed arborist, who will have the expert knowledge needed to advise you on how to prune your tree based on its type, age, and the season you are pruning in.

5. Clearing and protecting
Rock salt is a classic addition to Midwest winters, and while it’s great for keeping our roads and sidewalks clear, it’s not so great for your trees. Rock salt interferes with your tree’s ability to absorb water, which can dry your tree out during an already-dry season. If you need to melt the ice near your trees, look for ice-melting products that contain calcium, potassium, or magnesium chloride, which are much safer for your plants.

The inevitable accumulation of ice and snow can damage your trees by putting extra weight on the branches, leading to snapping, tearing, or splitting—which is unsafe for you and your trees! Clearing your trees of snow and ice using careful methods such as gently shaking the limbs or hosing them with warm water (not too hot) from a hot water faucet can remove the snow and ice and leave your tree intact.

Winter is not easy, but you can make it easier on your trees by following these tips. Take care of your trees during the harsh winter, and come spring and summer, your efforts will be worth it when your trees are beautiful and thriving!

Looking for guidance on how to care for your trees during winter? We can help. Advanced Tree Care combines top-notch equipment, cutting-edge technology, and well-trained staff to provide emergency tree removal and tree maintenance services. With a presence in nine counties and two states, we work daily to provide unparalleled customer service, safety, and efficiency—as well as the expertise to beautify your landscaping and community. Advanced Tree Care isn’t just our name—it’s also our purpose!

Advanced Tree Care Acquires Sabatello Tree Care

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Lincolnshire, IL, December 7, 2022—Advanced Tree Care announces the acquisition of Sabatello Tree Care in Arlington Heights, IL. Effective immediately, existing Sabatello Tree Care customers will now receive residential and commercial tree care with the advanced technology, premium service, and attention to detail offered by Advanced Tree Care. 

Area growth

Advanced Tree Care has established itself as the go-to company for residential and commercial tree care in the Chicagoland area. Founded in 2008 and with a service area of 13 counties over two states, Advanced Tree Care provides services to over 28,000 residential customers and 16 government agencies for tree and landscape care in park districts, municipal and corporate campuses, business districts and more. From its inception, Advanced Tree Care has focused on providing advanced technology and top-notch service. The acquisition of Sabatello Tree Care follows Advanced Tree Care’s acquisition in 2020 of Topps Tree Service in Glenview, IL. 

“Next year marks Advanced Tree Care’s 15th anniversary,” founder and president Mike Bramucci said. “My vision in was to provide the best customer service through the latest technology and equipment—and over the last decade and a half, we’ve set the standard for efficient operations, cost control, and the latest innovations in tree service. We’re excited to expand our residential and commercial service through the northwest suburbs and to serve those who have trusted Sabatello Tree Care.”  

A new chapter 

For the last 35 years, Sabatello Tree Care has provided service in and around Arlington Heights. Founder and owner Dru Sabatello emphasized technology as a major factor in the acquisition decision. “After more than three decades, it’s time for this family-owned and operated business to have new leadership. Advanced Tree Care has the technology and support system to enhance service for our clients.”

About Advanced Tree Care

Mike Bramucci founded Advanced Tree Care in 2008 with the vision of providing superior customer service through the latest advanced technology and equipment to create operational efficiency. Mike earned his International Society of Arborist (ISA) certification at age 19 and was, at the time, the youngest certified arborist in the state of Illinois. Over the next 10 years, he perfected the art of tree care and gained experience managing teams before founding Advanced Tree Care. Combining technology, equipment and a well-trained staff, Advanced Tree Care delivers superior customer service in commercial and residential tree and landscape services including tree pruning, removal, maintenance, tree inventory, advanced thermal tree imaging, property maintenance programs, and much more. 

Advanced Tree Care is available 24/7 with a typical response time of one hour or under, day or night. Sabatello Tree Care customers can reach Advanced Tree Care’s offices at (847) 587-8500 or find more information at www.advanced-treecare.com. 

Caring for Your Trees Over the Winter

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Winter has set in. Although trees are dormant this time of year, they still require your care.

Here are a few simple rules of thumb to help you care for your trees this winter:

Watch those branches

If tree branches are close to your house, driveway, or sidewalks, err on the side of protecting your property. Heavy snow and ice accumulation can stress them, contributing to breakage. Consult with your tree service on pruning, cabling, or bracing these branches to prevent damage. In addition, avoid parking under or near branches that are heavily laden with snow or ice. Falling branches cause a lot of damage.

Prune

Winter can be the best time to prune because trees are dormant. As noted above, pruning can help reduce the chance that a winter snowstorm or ice storm will damage your tree. Pruning cuts should be left uncovered, and proper pruning cuts should be made just outside the branch collar.

Don’t shake

Trees and branches can sag under the weight of winter’s snow and ice. While it’s tempting to shake off your trees or branches, resist doing so. You can damage your trees.

Remove stakes or ties

Stakes or ties can provide some stability for newly established trees, but these items should be removed in winter. Trees will establish more quickly and develop stronger trunk and root tissue without these aids.

Water until the ground freezes

Just because the warmest days of the year are behind us doesn’t mean you shouldn’t water your trees any longer. Fall can, in fact, be a dry season some years. Water your trees throughout the fall and early winter until the ground fully freezes. In our area, this can be as late as the end of December.

Newly planted or young trees that still have a small root mass especially need continued watering. And, when it comes to watering, go for low and slow so that you deliver the water directly down to the tree’s root zone. How often and how long you should water depends on tree species, soil type, and our weather conditions. You can check the soil and your tree’s foliage to determine if your tree is over- or under-watered, or you can consult one of our experts.

Watch the salt

Before the heavy snows and ice arrive, mulch around each tree with two to four inches of wood chips, bark, or other organic material. This mulch insulates against temperature extremes while also nourishing the soil and preserving moisture levels. Be sure to keep the mulch layer at least three inches away from the base of the tree trunk to allow the tree to properly breathe.

If you didn’t mulch before winter truly set in, remember that this should be part of your fall tree care going forward. Watch for trees that may be affected by road salt, like those on parkways or near driveways. This is where the plowed snow accumulates, and as it melts, the salt seeps into the soil and the tree’s root system.

You can protect these trees by moving some of the salted snow and distributing it more fully around your yard. You can also help these trees once winter is over by watering them thoroughly. Watering them helps to reduce the salt and lessen any damage.

Advanced Tree Care combines top-notch equipment, cutting-edge technology, and well-trained staff to provide emergency tree removal and tree maintenance services. With a presence in nine counties and two states, we work daily to provide unparalleled customer service, safety, and efficiency—as well as the expertise to beautify your landscaping and community. Advanced Tree Care isn’t just our name—it’s also our purpose!

600 Industrial Dr
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
(847) 587-8500