Weathering Winter
BUILDING STORM RESILIENT URBAN FORESTSWinter storms are getting stronger, less predictable, and more expensive—and your urban forest is on the front lines.
This free ebook, Weathering Winter: Building Storm-Resilient Urban Forests, shows how proactive tree management can turn a major liability into one of your city’s most reliable defenses.
Why this ebook matters
- Learn why winter storms now cause billions in infrastructure damage, power outages, and cleanup costs in cities every year—and why those costs are rising.
- Understand how ice, heavy snow, and rapid freeze–thaw cycles damage trees, roads, utilities, and water quality, especially in vulnerable neighborhoods.
- See how a strategic, well-maintained urban forest can reduce outages, protect roads and sidewalks, and speed up community recovery after a storm.
What you’ll learn inside
The escalating impact of winter storms
- Clear, data-backed explanations of how changing winter patterns are driving more intense snow, ice, and wind events in urban areas.
- The social and economic consequences for residents, with a focus on equity and high-risk communities.
Core strategies for a winter-ready urban forest
- Routine pruning cycles and risk assessments that dramatically reduce branch failures, debris, and emergency callouts.
- Smarter species selection and diversity guidelines to build forests that can withstand snow and ice, not collapse under them.
- Soil health and structural soil practices that strengthen root systems, cut failure rates, and boost stormwater performance.
Planning before, during, and after the storm
- How to use modern inventories, GIS, and tools like TreePlotter to map risk, prioritize work, and coordinate crews in real time.
- Best practices for pre-storm debris contracts, emergency coordination, and rapid post-storm assessments.
- Replanting and recovery approaches that rebuild canopy faster, target underserved areas, and improve resilience with every event.
The economic case for preparation
- Discover why every dollar invested in proactive urban forestry can save many times more in avoided storm damage, emergency response, and infrastructure repairs.
- Get concrete action steps—maintenance cycles, contracts, partnerships, and funding tactics—to maximize return on investment in your program.
Who this ebook is for
This guide is built for city foresters, public works leaders, planners, emergency managers, consultants, and utility partners who need actionable, budget-smart strategies to prepare for the next winter storm—not just react to it.
Get the ebook and start transforming your urban forest into climate infrastructure that protects budgets, infrastructure, and communities all winter long.