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Wood strength
 Notice the broken limb hanging in the tree pictured on the far left. This is a potential hazard to cars parking nearby. |
All trees can break apart in very strong winds. No tree, with the possible exception of cabbage palm, is immune. However, some are more prone to breakage than others in ice, snow, and wind storms. Consider using these trees in limited quantities and in out-of-the-way places.
Surprisingly, wood strength per se is not related to a tree's ability to withstand an ice storm. Trees with a few coarse branches
such as
walnut escape damage from ice storms more often than those with a finer
branching habit, regardless of wood strength (Hauer et al., 1993). Trees with
bark included in crotches of major branches are also susceptible.
