What to do about winter damage on plants and trees?
Winter can be beautiful as snow bathes the landscape, creating a pristine appearance that is often magical in its ability to make us pause with wonder.
But snow, ice and wind can do damage to plants and trees. This can leave homeowners wondering what to do.
One place to turn for help is the Penn State Extension.
Val Sesler, Penn State Extension’s interim area master gardener coordinator for Greene, Fayette, Washington, Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset and Westmoreland counties, noted people can always call their local extension office but explained information can also be found at the website at www.extension.psu.edu.
“We still like to have people come into the office. Nothing compares to face-to-face contact,” said Sesler, but she explained, “The extension website is new and more consumer based so the consumer can navigate it more readily. There are workshops listed, news articles and fact sheets. Just take a look. There’s lots of pictures so that’s helpful, too.”
Two reports are available on the website with information about winter damage by ice and snow to shrubs and trees as well as the effect of de-icers on plants.
Barb Ryan, a master gardener for Lehigh/Northampton counties, noted in her report, “Homeowners often ask whether their plants are better served by knocking off ice and snow or by leaving it alone until it melts. Most extension horticulturists recommend leaving ice-covered branches alone since knocking the ice off often causes even more branch breakage. Snow itself is not dangerous to plants. In fact, it acts like a natural insulator helping to protect plants from freezing and thawing temperatures.”
Ryan added, however, you may want to remove snow if it is heavy and severely bending branches by gently brushing upward with a broom or lightly pushing limbs upward with a pole.
“Do not shake the shrub or tree as this can cause more injury to the plant,” Ryan advised.
Avoid piling excessive amounts of wet, heavy snow on shrubs when shoveling or snow plowing since the weight can break branches, Ryan also cautioned.
“If foundation shrubs are situated underneath areas where snow or ice often slides off the roof, they can be protected with A-shaped wooden frames. Upright shrubs such as arborvitae and some junipers that may splay outward and lose their shape under the weight of snow can be supported by tying strips of cloth or twine around the shrub or by tying the leaders together inside the shrub to maintain their shape,” Ryan explained.
“If branches break during a storm, seek professional help to prune the limbs of large trees. In fact, Penn State Extension urban forester Brian Wolyniak suggests that winter is a good time to inspect trees for dead branches, crossed branches, or branches that overhang areas where falling limbs may cause a problem. If these are higher than can be reached from the ground, a professional should be called in to perform preventative pruning,” Ryan recommended. “On smaller trees, broken branches should be pruned back to the main branch or trunk. Damaged evergreen shrubs, like rhododendron and cherry laurel and deciduous shrubs can be pruned back severely in the spring and will rejuvenate.”
Carol Kagan, Franklin County master gardener, issued a report on de-icers, commonly referred to as salt, explaining they can have an effect on plants.
“Icy surfaces can be hazardous to wintertime health, so removing snow and ice is a priority. Although safety comes first, gardeners also want to consider run-off damage to lawns and gardens,” noted Kagan. “This can be a challenge for plants near roadways, sidewalks, and other hardscape areas. Gardeners may want to consider selecting salt-tolerant plants for areas near heavily salted roads.”
Kagan mentions several types of de-icers and their effects as well as noting those that are safer for plants, including magnesium chloride and calcium magnesium acetate (CMA).
“Magnesium chloride melts snow and ice down to -13°F. It releases 40 percent less chloride than either rock salt or calcium chloride and is less damaging to vegetation,” according to Kagan.”Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA), is a formulation of dolomitic limestone and acetic acid. It is effective down to 5°F and is particularly useful in environmentally-sensitive areas.”
Kagan advises, “Remember to consider your landscape and possible effects of pollution when selecting a product to treat icy surfaces.”
With Punxsutawney Phil slated to give his prediction Feb. 2, the nation will soon learn whether or not we’re in for another six weeks of winter.
Regardless of that prediction, it’s a good idea to pay attention to your plants and trees to give them the best care possible during winter weather.