Protect Your Trees by Removing Lights, Windchimes, Birdfeeders, Etc.

(Updated: Feb. 24, 2026, 3:38 p.m.)
Bird feeder coated in ice with housefinch

Joshua J. Cotton, Unsplash

During an ice storm, ice accumulates on everything it lands on. Remove anything you can off of trees:  lights, bird feeds, bird houses, windchimes, ornaments, etc. to prevent adding weight to the branches.

More information on preparing before the storm.