Winters in upstate New York are often harsh, with freezing temperatures, gusting winds and heavy snowfalls. In the city of Rochester, N.Y., ice storms—when rain and snow freeze on contact, leaving sheaths of ice sometimes inches thick on trees—are quite common. The extra weight of the ice hangs heavy on tree branches, causing limbs to crack off and trunks to splinter. Branches often fall onto roadways, creating problems for passing motorists.