Tree care after snow: We ask an arborist questions about tree and shrub protection

Rebecca King
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Snow is stressful.

The pipes, the car, the driveway, the front steps – dreamy white snow causes these things to freeze, break, stall and become slipping hazards.

But what about your landscaping? Can snow damage trees and bushes in your yard?

The answer is yes, according to Jason Reitter, district manager of Davey, a tree and lawn care service, whose office is based in Morris Plains.

We asked Reitter some questions on how to best prepare and protect our plants before and after a snowstorm.

Should you shake the snow out of trees?

Pruning your trees regularly can keep them dense enough to withstand snowstorms.

“You definitely want to for heavier snow because you can get a lot of branch breakage. Commonly, the snow can get laid over by ice and get heavier and cause more damage. A lot of people brush the snow off before the ice can form.”

Are there any safety tips for knocking heavy snow and ice out of trees?

“It’s common sense. You want to make sure you know where the snow will drop so it doesn't fall on you or your car.

“Also, the sooner you shake off the snow, the better. When the snow falls, it’s fluffier. If you wait a couple of days, the warmer temperatures partially melt the snow. The snow then has a higher moisture content when it refreezes. That would mean a heavier ball of snow falling down.”

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Can your trees and bushes die from being too cold?

“Not typically – only if something is newly planted. You only really worry about the cold temperatures when the roots get wet, freeze and start to rot. Newly planted trees and shrubs have shallower, smaller roots which makes it easier for rot to set in. Plants that have been growing for years can still get rot, but their roots are heartier and deeper in the soil, making it less likely to happen.

How can you prevent root rot for newer plants?

Arborvitaes trees protected from the snow with tarps

“You want to have them planted properly at the correct depth with a good mulch. Mulch is for more than just aesthetic purposes. It regulates the temperature of the soil in the summer and winter. You could have too much mulch or too little – you want the right amount. The right amount of mulch varies depending on the plant."  [Reitter suggests having an arborist, who knows the proper amount of mulch to use, plant your trees.]

Should you knock snow off bushes?

“Yes, especially bushes like boxwoods. If snow lingers on the bush, you can start getting holes in your shrubs, as the smaller branches might not be able to take the weight of the snow and break.”

What can we do to protect trees and shrubs before a snowstorm?

“Pruning is always a good maintenance tip or consulting with an arborist. We look to make sure the crown of a tree [the branches] aren’t filled with dead wood. Dead wood should be removed to keep a healthy crown. Having a stronger crown will limit storm breakage in snow, rain and wind. And for trees like evergreens, keeping them pruned back will make them stauncher and denser to withstand a storm.”



Twitter: @rebeccakingnj 

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