Here are a few things to keep in mind as we continue in the winter months.

During a storm:

• Keep an eye on snow accumulating on trees – on both deciduous and evergreens. If branches are sagging under the weight, use something long such as a broom handle to gently shake snow off the branches as high as you can reach. Start at the lowest part of the tree rather than at the top. If you start dusting snow off the top, it will add even more weight onto the lower branches. Starting at the bottom of the tree helps to keep those lowest branches from being overloaded to the breaking point.
• If you have trees that are already leaning – or branches that are at a sharp “V” with one already growing more to the side than upright—avoid standing or putting property under them. These may be signs of a tree that could fall over or a branch that could break under heavy snow. Cottonwood trees, for example, are often susceptible to breakage.
• Branches of columnar, upright evergreens can spread apart under heavy snow. Shaking snow off these evergreens can help minimize the damage.

After the storm: 

• Inspect trees for broken branches or “hangers.” These are broken branches that seem to be hanging on by a thread. Line up an expert to cut the branches properly to avoid insect or disease problems in these wounds later on.
• For upright evergreens that have splayed, check at a garden center for material that can be wrapped around the branches to restore their upright shape.
• If ornamental grasses have been crushed, they won’t bounce back. Plan a time when the weather is warm to cut grasses back. This needs to be done in the springtime anyway before new shoots emerge.

Be safe. Got toppled plants with downed wires? Assume that any wire is energized and do not touch it. Contact local utilities to check it out before approaching it. If it is posing an immediate hazard, contact emergency services.

Need help with storm-damaged plants? Call Camelot Design at 303-734-1126.