PPO > National Elm Trial at WSU Puyallup > National Elm Trial at WSU Puyallup: Data > Damage from 2012 ice storm > Ice damage – Jan. 2012

Ice damage – Jan. 2012

A wide range of damage to the elm planting was seen after this storm. A survey of the damage was taken. See the results of the damage survey.

a very thin elm tree with no foliage with all limbs intact
No damage
a young elm tree with just a few leaves left scattered among the branches. near the top, a few small branches have broken and are pointing diagonally downward
Slight damage – a few small branches broken
a young elm tree with many small twigs but no foliage. the top has snapped and some of the larger branches are pointing dowward.
Moderate damage – more breakage including larger branches
a young elm tree with the top and many of the larger branches broken off. one large branch is left standing upward on the right side.
Severe damage – many broken branches
a midsized elm tree with no foliage. all branches are broken and peeling downward.
Extreme damage – all major branches broken
a midsize elm tree with one large branch broken off. a dark stain can be seen where the branch is coming away from the tree.
Close-up of broken branch area
next to a parking lot, a mature elm tree with half broken off. the broken half is laying down on top of some bushes. a girl with blonde hair and a purple coat is playing in the flooding parking lot. you can also see another mature elm with large branches broken off behind and to the right of the first one
Mature elm trees in city park after storm
a young elm tree that has split in half. the dark pith in the center of the tree is visible. foliage is green but yellowing
New growth on badly damaged tree

WSU Puyallup Research & Extension Center
2606 West Pioneer, Puyallup, WA, 98371-4998 USA
Last updated 9/24/2025