Minnesota winters are no joke, freezing temperatures, heavy snow, ice storms, and wild temperature swings can turn even the hardiest trees into stressed, brittle, or dangerous hazards. Yet every year we see something amazing happen: trees survive. They bend, freeze, shed leaves, and go dormant, but when spring returns, they come back to life.
So, how do trees survive winter? Why don’t their roots freeze solid? Why do some stay green while others drop leaves? And, most importantly, how do you know when winter weather is damaging your trees?
As certified arborists serving Minnetonka and the Twin Cities, this guide explains what really happens to trees in winter, what homeowners should look for, and how to protect your landscape from seasonal damage.
How Minnesota Winters Affect Trees
When temperatures drop below freezing, trees face three major threats:
- Cold stress
- Moisture loss
- Physical damage from ice, snow, and wind
Trees have incredible natural systems to defend themselves, but winter weather still pushes their limits. Older, diseased, weakened, or poorly-maintained trees are at much higher risk of cracking, uprooting, or breaking during storms.
Even healthy trees experience:
- Reduced nutrient activity
- Slower sap flow
- Dormancy
- Root protection mode
- Moisture conservation
- Energy storage
Think of it as “tree hibernation”, but with a lot more science involved.
What Deciduous Trees Do in Winter (Oaks, Maples, Birch, Ash, etc.)
Every fall, something important happens: deciduous trees shed leaves on purpose. This isn’t just a seasonal color change, it’s a survival strategy.
Why They Drop Leaves
- Leaves lose water fast in winter winds
- Frozen moisture inside leaves would destroy cells
- Snow and ice collect on leaves, adding extreme weight
By dropping leaves, trees protect themselves from breaking or drying out.
How They Survive the Freeze
- They “shut down” food production
- Sap thickens, like antifreeze, so it doesn’t freeze solid
- Nutrients are stored in trunks and roots until spring
Even though they look dead, they’re just dormant, and very much alive.
How Evergreen Trees Survive the Cold
Evergreen trees (pine, spruce, cedar, fir) take a very different approach.
Why They Stay Green
- Their needles have a waxy coating that prevents moisture loss
- The shape allows snow to slide off instead of weighing branches down
- They don’t need to regrow leaves every spring, saving energy
Smart Winter Adaptations
Evergreens:
- Reduce water loss through tiny pores in needles
- Produce natural “antifreeze” compounds
- Have flexible branches made to bend under snow instead of snapping
This is why evergreens stay green, even when windchill hits dangerous subzero temperatures.
Tree Bark, Roots, and Dormancy Explained
Tree Bark = Natural Insulation
Bark acts like a built-in winter coat:
- Protects from sunscald and frost cracks
- Shields inner layers from windburn
- Prevents moisture loss
- Defends against insects and fungus
In Minnesota, trees often show long vertical cracks, called frost cracks, caused by rapid temperature drops.
Dormancy = Energy Saving Mode
Trees enter a sleep-like state:
- Growth pauses
- Nutrients are stored
- Roots remain active below frozen ground
Even when the soil freezes, roots stay alive and continue pulling moisture from deeper underground.
Do Roots Freeze in Winter?
Not completely. Snow actually protects roots like a blanket. The ground below a snow layer stays much warmer than exposed soil.
But trees with shallow roots, or trees stressed by disease, can still suffer winter root damage.
Do Trees Die in Winter? (Myth vs Reality)
Healthy trees are built to survive winter.
What kills trees is not the cold itself, but stress, disease, damage, or lack of maintenance.
Winter Can Kill a Tree When:
- Branches crack under heavy snow/ice
- Roots freeze from lack of soil moisture
- Temperature drops suddenly after warm days
- Animals strip bark (vole, rabbit, deer damage)
- Disease or insects weaken the tree before winter
- High winds uproot unstable trees
Ever notice a tree that looked fine in fall but doesn’t leaf out in spring?
That’s often winter kill.
Winter Tree Damage Warning Signs
Call a certified arborist if you see:
Deep cracks or peeling bark
Branches hanging or split after storms
Leaning trees or exposed roots
Hollow sounds when knocking on the trunk
Dead or brittle branches that snap easily
Fungus, rot, or carpenter ant activity
Salt damage near streets or driveways
If a branch is hanging over a house, garage, driveway, or power line, it could break without warning during heavy snow or high winds.
Homeowner Checklist: How to Protect Trees in Winter
Here’s what you can do to prevent damage:
1. Water before the ground freezes
- Dry soil leads to winter root injury.
- Late-fall watering helps trees survive.
2. Mulch around the base
- Mulch protects roots from temperature swings.
3. Wrap young or thin-barked trees
- Stops sunscald, frost cracks, and animal damage.
4. Remove weak or dead branches
- Winter storms always find the weak spots.
5. Avoid heavy snow salting near trees
- Salt burns roots and kills soil microbes.
6. Inspect after storms
- Especially after ice accumulation or high winds.
If you’re unsure whether a tree is healthy or dangerous, a quick professional inspection is safest.
Should You Trim Trees in Winter?
Yes, winter is one of the best seasons for pruning in Minnesota.
Benefits of Winter Tree Trimming
- Trees are dormant (less stress)
- Diseases and pests are inactive
- No leaves → better visibility for cuts
- Safer pruning conditions
- Promotes healthier spring growth
Tree professionals call winter pruning “structural pruning” because it shapes growth, removes hazards, and improves long-term strength.
Why Some Trees Break in Winter (Even Healthy Ones)
Minnesota gets:
- Ice that weighs down branches
- Wet, heavy snowstorms
- Sudden freeze-thaw cycles
- 40+ mph wind gusts
Even strong trees can split under enough weight, especially:
- Ash
- Boxelder
- Poplar
- Silver maple
- Young ornamental trees
If a tree has a V-shaped fork, hollow trunk, or visible lean, winter storms can turn it into a safety hazard.
When to Call a Certified Arborist
Call a professional if you notice:
- Large dead branches overhead
- Trees leaning after a storm
- Cracks forming in trunk or limbs
- Branches too close to roof, siding, or wires
- Mushy roots or fungus at base
- A tree that stopped budding in spring
Even small cracks or leaning can turn into emergency removals after high winds or ice buildup.
Why Professional Winter Tree Care Matters
Not all tree companies are equal. Winter work involves:
- Safety around frozen branches
- Ice-covered roofs, fences, or structures
- Heavier limbs due to snow load
- Higher risk of breakage or kickback
- Reduced traction for climbers and equipment
You should only work with:
- Licensed & insured tree contractors
- Certified arborists
- Professional equipment and trained crews
- A company with a safety record and reviews
Serving Minnetonka & Surrounding Areas
Dynasty Tree Experts has been a trusted, family-owned provider for over 10 years. We help homeowners protect their trees year-round through:
- Winter pruning
- Storm & ice damage clean-up
- Emergency tree removal
- Stump grinding
- Tree disease diagnosis
- Tree planting & maintenance
Conclusion
Trees are incredibly resilient, and Minnesota winters bring out their hidden survival instincts, from antifreeze sap and wax-coated needles to deep winter dormancy and root protection. But severe cold, storms, and heavy ice still cause damage every year.
If you notice cracking, leaning, or dead branches, or just want a winter health check, our certified arborists can help. We’ll inspect your trees, point out risks, and recommend safe, affordable options.
- Request a Free Estimate
- Fast Emergency Tree Service in Minnetonka
- Licensed, Insured & Certified Arborists
Call (763) 301-9185 or send a message today.
No matter how high the tree is, we can handle it.