Cold Snaps & Tree Damage: What Mid-Michigan Homeowners Need to Know This Winter

Timber Bros
Jan 2
2 min read

A Timber Bros truck with a raised boom lift trimming trees near home on a clear day. Bright blue sky, snow on the ground.

When temperatures crash during a Mid-Michigan cold snap, your trees feel it too. Extreme cold doesn’t just make wood stiff — it can make weakened trees more brittle, increasing the chance that cracked or damaged limbs may snap without warning.

And when those branches are hanging over your roof, driveway, or power lines… that’s a risk worth paying attention to.

Why Cold Weather Makes Trees More Brittle

Snow-covered tree with bare branches against a pale blue sky. Background shows a snowy landscape with distant trees.

As temperatures fall suddenly, the moisture inside tree fibers freezes and expands. Healthy wood can flex — but dead or damaged wood can’t.

That’s when you may see:

• Cracks forming in branches

• Bark splitting

• Limbs snapping under light snow or wind

• Already-leaning trees shifting further

If a tree was already stressed, cold weather simply pushes it closer to failure.

Warning Signs to Watch For

A large tree leans against a white house with a gray roof, its branches drooping. The sky is overcast.

Call a professional right away if you notice:

• Cracks along a branch or trunk

• A tree leaning more than it used to

• Bark splitting or “shearing”

• Broken or hanging branches

• Roots lifting or soil shifting

• Limbs rubbing your roof or house in the wind

If a tree is already down or touching a structure — don’t approach it.

Why This Matters for Homeowners

Fallen tree branch rests on a roof, surrounded by green leaves. Overcast sky hints at stormy weather. Scene conveys a sense of damage.

Cold-snap failures often happen:

• Suddenly

• In quiet weather

• Overnight

And the damage can include:

• Roof punctures

• Siding + fence damage

• Vehicle impact

• Power outages

• Injury risk

Catching problems early can save thousands in repairs — and a lot of stress.

Winter Is Actually a Smart Time for Tree Work

Most people assume tree work is for summer, but winter offers real advantages:

• No leaves = better visibility & access

• Frozen ground = less yard damage

• Lower pest + disease risk

• Easier access to problem branches

Sometimes winter removal is actually safer and more efficient.

When It Becomes an Emergency

Looking up at a tall tree with sparse branches against a bright blue sky and a few clouds.

Call for emergency service immediately if:

• A tree is on your home

• A branch is cracked or hanging overhead

• A tree is moving, shifting, or creaking badly

• Power lines are involved (stay back!)

And please keep your distance...

Why Your Neighbors Trust Timber Bros

An orange truck labeled "Timber Bros Tree Services."

We’re a family-owned, local Mid-Michigan crew.

Certified. Equipped. Fully insured.

And we take safety seriously.

A quick assessment now can prevent major damage later.

When something can’t wait until spring —we’re here to help.

Looking for a free quote?

Give us a call at (517) 604-9795 or shoot us a message.

Timber Bros, LLC

Tree Removal, Lot Clearing, and Sustainable Land Management