In late March of 2025, a particularly severe ice storm damaged forests across multiple counties in the northern lower peninsula of Michigan. Extensive areas experienced 0.25 to 0.50" of icing while several counties accrued twice as much. Ice is heavy, and this weight caused extensive crown damage and tree failure.  

Because of northern Michigan's late green up compared to areas to the south, it was difficult to map impacts to deciduous and mixed deciduous-pine forests immediately after the event. Damage to pine stands was apparent because damage to evergreens reflects the cross-seasonal availability of foliage. Ice damage in hardwoods often affects the finer branches, destroying buds that have yet to emerge. This delays green-up.