The Snow Broke My Branch (And My Heart)…Now What?

1. Don’t prune. Pruning in the fall can stimulate new growth that won’t have time to mature and strengthen before the snow flies, making it susceptible to frost damage or breakage.
2. Prune. Yeah, we know what we said. But here we’re just talking about the stuff you can already tell is damaged, weak, or dead before winter comes. This way, you can take care of it before it’s icy, covered in snow, and risking more damage to your property.
3. Water. Yep, even in the winter, some trees are still going to be asking for water—particularly evergreens which don’t go dormant in the winter. On the warmest day you can, make sure you get your trees some water to avoid desiccation which can lead to weakness and breakage.
4. Don’t get salty. Preventing icy walkways in the winter is important, but make sure that you’re not piling salt-heavy snow near your trees which can cause salt burn causing dry, brittle plant life more at risk for breaking.
5. Shake it off. Every so often, if you see your limbs getting weighed down a bit, take a broom and safely help the tree free itself of its snowy burden. If done often, this can help prevent heavy buildup and reduce the chance of a limb breaking.

Common Questions About Trees & Shrubs In The Winter

We’ve gone rounds now on winter tree damage and how to handle it, but there are a few more commonly asked questions we don’t want to skip over. Here is a roundup of more cold-weather yard questions and some of our best winter tips for landscaping done right!

If my branch breaks and I don’t fix it right away, will my tree die?

As noted above, it’s probably a good thing to give it a minute before diving into decision-making and rash action if a heavy load of snow breaks one of your tree branches. You will want to try and do a little triage—making clean cuts for better healing—and then possibly wrap the area in some burlap for additional insulation against icy winds and more snowfall. Will your tree die because you take your time? Not likely. If it was going to die, it is likely because there was too much damage done to save it anyway. Take a deep breath and repeat after me: This is not my fault!

Can I prune a frozen, damaged tree?

The short answer is yes, you can prune a frozen, damaged tree. But that doesn’t always mean you should. As we talked about before, it is sometimes best to wait until spring so you can be sure what parts of your tree are still salvageable, but if you are certain that irreparable damage is there or you plan to remove the tree altogether, it is okay to remove the offending parts of the tree. You do not, however, want to prune back healthy parts of the tree lest you encourage it to put energy into new growth, putting it at risk for death all over again. 

What can happen if you prune in winter?

The answer above will get us started on what can happen if you prune in the winter. Most trees go dormant in the winter, meaning their energy is spent carefully preserving nutrients that are harder to come by with less light, water, and fertilizer to rely on. Tricking a tree into thinking it’s time to start on spring growth or even accidentally pruning back more than is necessary from a broken branch can make it even more susceptible to greater winter tree damage.

Will a tree or shrub recover from frost damage?

Most healthy trees and shrubs can recover from frost damage with little to no lasting effect. Often the damage is more aesthetic than anything, and even if the tree or shrub is stunted for a small part of the season, future years should show continued healthy growth. If a tree or shrub is especially young or sick when struck by the frost damage, it can certainly be more difficult to shake off. Planting at appropriate times and taking precaution to wrap young plants can help ward off some winter damage to your shrubs and trees.

Can I prevent winter damage to my trees and shrubs?

Winter tree and shrub damage can be largely avoided with appropriate care throughout the year. Pruning, fertilizing, and mulching at the right times for each plant is key to ensuring robust health going into the cold winter months. And, as winter approaches, make sure you’re ready with a good watering schedule if needed, some tree and shrub wrap, and a watchful eye to help relieve branches of snow and roots and trunk of salty ice.

Can I water my trees and shrubs with snow on the ground?

Water is an important part of tree health, particularly during the winter. Tree cells are better able to retain nutrients and remain robust when full of water. Similarly, water in the soil helps ensure a warm environment for healthy roots to thrive. That said, watering when snow and ice are present isn’t the best time. Wait for temperatures to go above 40℉ and water early in the day so the moisture can get nice and deep before the thermometer numbers drop again in the evening.

Should you water trees after a freeze?

We think a similar answer to the question above applies here. A hard freeze means there is little water in the soil to help insulate root systems and your trees will probably be wanting a good soaking at some point. But the ground will need to be permeable enough for long enough to make a watering effective. Keep an eye on your weather app and be ready when the time is right!

If you want beautiful landscaping all year long, make sure to follow these tips! And it doesn’t hurt to keep up with professionals who are continually expanding their knowledge base and sharpening their skills.

Big Rock Landscaping: Your Winter Landscaping Experts

When people think of landscaping, it’s usually in a summery, garden kind of way. But at Big Rock Landscaping, we’re ready for all things landscaping, all year long. That includes winter and all the beauty—and broken limbs—that go along with it. Give us a call to find out how we can help you plan, design, install, and maintain the landscaping of your dreams!