Sunshine after the ice storm

Ice Storm Photo # 102-2017. Sunshine after the ice storm of 2008.
Photo by Brad Sylvester, copyright 2012. All rights reserved. Do not copy.

When the sun finally comes back out after an ice storm, the entire world sparkles as the light refracts through the ice that covers the leaning and broken trees. This was taken in my backyard in New Hampshire after the ice storm of 2008. Amazingly beautiful, but a number of these trees could not be saved.

Tree Splintered by Ice Storm

A New Hampshire tree splintered by the ice storm.
Photo by Brad Sylvester, copyright 2012. All rights reserved.

As the weight of accumulated ice begins to drag the tree down, the trunk can twist and splinter. During and after a damaging ice storm such as this one from 2008, loud reports can be heard all around our forest home as trees crack and break apart under the stress. Hardwoods that fall on our New Hampshire property will be cut and used for firewood during the following winter.

Ice Storm 2008 Driveway Carnage

Ice Storm Photo #102-2013. Impassable driveway after the ice storm of
2008 in Strafford, New Hampshire.
Photo by Brad Sylvester, copyright 2012, all rights reserved.

Ice storm damage often covers a large area, rendering roads and driveways completely impassable to vehicles. Notice how thickly the ice coats the telephone and electric power lines. Even if they are not torn down by falling trees, ice-coated powerlines can sag or be pulled to the ground by the weight of the ice leading to widespread power outages with many points of repair required to restore electric power to a even single community.

Ice-covered tree branches from 2008 ice storm

Ice storm photo #102-2012 Ice covered tree branches against grey sky.
Photo by Brad Sylvester, copyright 2012, all rights reserved.

This photo taken after the ice storm of 2008 in Strafford, New Hampshire shows how thickly ice can coat the branches of trees adding tremendous weight. It is the extra weight of the ice-covered branches that can cause trees to bend and break during and after an ice storm.