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Regional & Seasonal Equipment GuidesIce Storm Cleanup and Fallen Tree Removal
Ice storms leave limbs and whole trees draped across lanes, fences and lines. The wood is loaded with tension and the ground is slick, so cleanup is slow, careful work.
Key points
- Treat any line near a tree as live and call the utility
- Remember bent wood carries stored tension, cut carefully
- Never pull a tensioned tree with a tractor
- Use chains or tires suited to ice and avoid slopes
- Bring in a tree crew for large or dangerous jobs
What should you check first after an ice storm?
Start by looking up and around. Hanging limbs, leaning trees and sagging power lines are all dangers. Assume any line that is down or tangled in a tree is live, stay well away and call the utility.
Check on neighbors and look at barns and sheds for weight damage before entering. Ice-loaded roofs can fail without warning.
Barns, run-in sheds and equipment buildings can also hold more weight than they should. Look at roofs and doors from outside first, and stay out if anything looks bent or cracked.
How do you clear fallen trees and limbs safely?
Wood bent under ice carries stored energy. When you cut it, it can spring back or roll. Work out where the tension is, cut from the safe side and keep your body clear of the path. Only trained, equipped people should handle large trees and anything touching a line.
Chainsaw work needs proper protective gear: helmet, eye and ear protection, chaps and sturdy boots. Take breaks, since fatigue causes mistakes.
- Treat all lines as live and call the utility
- Look for tension in bent trees and limbs before cutting
- Wear helmet, eye, ear and leg protection
- Never work alone in remote areas
How can a tractor and loader help?
A loader with a grapple or bucket lifts and moves cut limbs, and a tractor can drag cut sections to a pile using proper chains and approved points. Do not use the tractor to pull a tree that is still under tension or stuck, since chains can snap and the machine can tip.
Keep the ROPS up, the seat belt fastened and loads low. Use a spotter who stays outside the reach of the loader and any logs.
On a small homestead, a compact tractor with a loader may be the only tool you have. It handles brush piles and lanes well but it is not suited for large logs, so know your lift rating.
How do you get traction and stay upright on ice?
Ice cuts traction for braking and steering, especially on slopes. Move slowly, avoid sudden turns and keep loads low. Ask your dealer about chains, studs or tires suited to icy conditions for your model, and follow the manual.
Avoid sloped ground until it thaws or is treated. A slide can happen with no warning.
If the ground is frozen underneath a layer of slush, traction changes mid-pass. Test with the tractor slowly before committing to any hill or ditch crossing.
What about fences, roads and gates?
Ice and falling limbs flatten fences, which is a problem for livestock. Make quick repairs to keep animals contained and plan a proper fix later. Clear lanes and gates so emergency vehicles and feed trucks can get through.
Be careful around wire. A tangled, tensioned wire can whip back when cut.
Keep livestock water from freezing and check that animals are not near damaged electric fence, since a downed wire can stay live.
How do you handle firewood, brush and debris?
Cut and stack usable wood off the ground, and keep piles away from buildings. Ask local officials what the rules say about burning and disposal after storms. Chipping and hauling may be options if a crew is available.
Pace yourself. There is a lot to do, and rushing is how injuries happen.
Pile limbs well away from fence lines, since the next storm or a spring thaw can move them back where they were.
When should you call a tree crew or the utility?
Call professionals for any tree touching a line, large hanging limbs, trees on structures and anything you cannot judge. Talk to your insurance agent about coverage and documentation, and ask your local FSA office about assistance for farms.
A qualified mechanic can check your equipment after heavy work, particularly hydraulics and tires.
Keep a written list of what needs to be done in order. Lines and safety come first, access second, fences third and cleanup last.
Sources and further reading
Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.