Snow and Ice Can Ruin Your Trees and Shrubs—Here's How to Protect Them

Trees and shrubs usually shoulder winter weather with ease. Snow rests lightly on branches and the occasional rain glides off dormant stems. It’s when the weight of winter precipitation adds up that trees and shrubs risk damage. Sometimes the most helpful tactic is to do nothing at all, but the following dos and don’ts will help you deal with snow and ice on your trees and shrubs like a pro.

Plan Ahead

Trees that are winter-hardy in your climate are amazingly resilient. A young tree bends to the ground under the weight of ice, only to spring back just a few days after the ice melts. However, these preparations help your trees and shrubs get ready for winter:

Do a targeted pruning. Remove any dead, weak, and crossing branches. The idea is to thin dense canopies so snow falls through. Shorten extra-long limbs and remove branches that have a weak attachment to the trunk, as those are most prone to breaking.

Tie up susceptible plants. Some plants are more prone to damage from ice and snow than others. Evergreens with an upright habit, such as arborvitae, don’t handle snow well. Support branches by tying them up to create a cone shape that will shed snow more easily. Use strips of fabric or flexible cords (like bungee cords) to tie branches together.

Managing Ice

Let ice melt naturally. Ice is often the most troublesome winter precipitation for both humans and plants. The glass-like surface left in the wake of an ice storm adds to the complexity of caring for an ice-covered landscape. For the safety of both you and your plants, simply let the ice melt naturally. The radiant heat from the sun on a warm winter day will melt ice surprisingly quickly.

Don’t try to remove ice. It is never a good idea to try to remove ice by shaking tree branches or tapping them with a broom or rake. This will only lead to greater damage. Dousing a plant with hot water is also detrimental and does far more damage than good.

What to Do About Bending Branches

Support bending branches. Give branches and limbs bowing under the weight of snow or ice a helping hand. Place a sturdy support under the branch to prevent it from bending further. This is a time to get creative—use sturdy objects from the landscape or garden shed. Call a wheelbarrow into service as a plant support; sturdy lawn furniture can multi-task as plant support, too.

Don’t push ice- or snow-covered branches upright. The key to caring for bending branches is to simply support them; don’t try to push them back upright. Pushing frozen branches upright quickly increases the chances of breakage. 

How to Deal with Heavy Snow

Sweep snow off evergreens. A snow-covered conifer is a classic winter sight and usually of no concern. When the weight of the snow severely bends branches, gently sweep away the weighty material. Use a broom to whisk away snow by sweeping upward, toward the tree’s trunk. It is often easier to skip the broom altogether and gently shake snow off evergreens.

Don’t sweep downward. Evergreen branches bent under the weight of snow are already weakened; sweeping down the length of the branch toward the ground adds to the stress and increases the potential for breakage.

Snow Management Tactics

Find suitable places to store snow. Before the snow falls, plan where you are going to place the snow as you shovel, plow, or blow it. This is especially important when managing the significant snow load from places like driveways. Be mindful of trees, shrubs, and perennials planted in snow throw zones.

Don’t pile snow on plants. A few shovels full of heavy, wet snow on shrubs or small trees can cause considerable damage. It’s easy to forget where shrubs are planted along sidewalks and around entryways when they are buried under snow. Mark plants in the snow throw zone by sinking tall stakes into the ground near the plants in the fall. The stakes are a visual reminder of plants when clearing driveways and walkways.