Severe spring storms swept through much of the southern Lower Peninsula this week, leaving widespread tree damage and debris.



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"DNR News"



May 16, 2025
Contact: Kevin Sayers <[email protected]>, 517-582-3209

Make safety a priority when cleaning up storm-damaged trees

Severe spring storms swept through much of the southern Lower Peninsula this week, leaving behind widespread tree damage and debris, even as much of northern Michigan is still reeling from the massive late-March ice storm.

Proper cleanup is essential to maintaining the health of forests, urban landscapes and residential properties, and safety should be a top priority.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources urges residents to follow best practices to safely manage storm-damaged trees and debris.

Downed trees and branches near power lines

If a tree or branch has fallen on your home or near power lines, do not attempt to remove it yourself. Contact your local utility company immediately. Even if a limb is clear of power lines, seek professional assistance before attempting removal.

Storm-damaged trees requiring chainsaw work or climbing

Property owners should call a certified arborist [ [link removed] ] or certified professional tree care company [ [link removed] ] for help. These experts are professionally trained and qualified to assess trees and can determine what can be saved or safely remove hazardous trees or limbs, if needed. Before hiring anyone to work on your property, always ask for proof of insurance, workers’ compensation coverage and references.

Preventing the spread of tree pests and disease

Wood from storm-damaged trees can harbor harmful insects and diseases such as oak wilt. Avoid transporting firewood or debris to new locations. Instead, keep it local and try to recycle or repurpose it. To minimize the potential spread of oak wilt, fresh wounds on oak trees should be covered with latex paint as soon as possible; this will help prevent insects from carrying fungal disease spores to the wound site. Find out more about oak wilt [ [link removed] ].

For additional guidance, visit the DNR Urban and Community Forestry page [ [link removed] ], Michigan State University Extension information on dealing with storm damaged trees [ [link removed] ] or ISA-Michigan’s searchable arborist directory [ [link removed] ].




"Following a severe ice storm in northern Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources is assessing damage and conducting cleanup at several state parks, state park campgrounds, state forest campgrounds, boating access sites and state-managed trails. Find up-to-date information about closures, volunteer opportunities and more" "on the DNR storm recovery page [ [link removed] ]."

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