Do Storm Damaged Trees Need to be Removed?Our recent east coast winter storms have pushed many trees to the limit--almost everyone has damaged trees in our area of Virginia. Pine and Cedars of all types, Hollies, Magnolias, saplings and small ornamentals have been stressed to the breaking point under the weight of wet snow. 
This young Maple was no match for the snow. Another way to see it-- Mother Nature doing her own forest thinning. 
A White Pine (at right) naturally has long feathery branches, but given optimal sun and moisture, they grow far too long for a winter storm with heavy snow.
Is it necessary to remove the tree?If the trunk has a large rip or tear or if it is broken open, then you may very well need to have the tree removed. A certified arborist can advise you as to whether the tree has sustained mortal damage. Each tree must be looked at individually and there are many factors to weigh. Read more about tree removal.
Can the tree be saved?If branches have broken off without tearing the trunk, the stubs can be cleanly cut and it is highly likely that the tree or large shrub can be saved. To prevent further tree damage, branches of similar length and weight may need to be carefully pruned or removed.If there are loose branches hanging in the tree, as in this photo of a pine above, cordon off the area below immediately! A branch hitting a person or property can inflict serious harm! Other issues to consider are the overall balance of the weight of remaining limbs. Is the tree now lopsided with respect to weight? Would a thorough pruning correct the weight balance so that it no longer a liability for falling over at some point in the future? What can be done to prevent future breakage?Simply have the tree pruned for weight reduction. A certified arborist knows a great deal about the dynamics of load on tree limbs. Every tree species and individual trees must be assessed for their structure, shape, growing conditions, and whether the tree presents risks to activities below it.Your trees will not lose their unique branching or shape in the hands of a skilled professional, but they will be more resistant to wind, snow loads and ice. 
Oftentimes such storm events make us look differently at the trees above our homes and driveways, whether we had our own damaged trees or if we saw our neighbors incur the headaches! Perhaps you were out of electrical power--most likely because of damaged or fallen trees or branches falling! Looking at your trees with a sober eye during these storm times is a very smart. Go outside with a pen and paper and make a list of your observations and call a certified aborist to help you make some decisions. As with many things in life, pro-action can save your trees from damage or complete failure, and save you the hassle later of dealing with damage to property or life, and emergency expense.
Hopefully if you have been having your trees pruned, including your pine trees, evergreen trees and large evergreen shrubs, you saw less damage. By removing overextended length from branches, a pruned branch holds less snow, is shorter, and has more strength to resist the weight of wet snow.
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