Heavy snow blanketed eastern Iowa for the first time this season. It is great to finally see the much-needed moisture in the form of snow. Last year we didn’t see our first snow fall until the middle of January. Even though the fresh snow makes for a beautiful landscape, heavy snow can be damaging to your plants. When we receive wet heavy snow, it generally sticks to things instead of making its way to the ground. You might have noticed quite a few downed power lines or broken tree branches. The excessive weight of the snow combined with strong winds caused considerable damage to some trees and plants. On of the best ways to avoid this damage is to be proactive in removing weak and damaged tree branches ahead of time. Weak or dead branches are usually the first part of the tree to break under the weight of heavy snow. Pruning trees and other plant material at their appropriate times, may save you a few headaches during a snow storm. If you have large trees located near your home, it might be a good idea to have them trimmed back. If these branches break and fall on your house, they could significantly damage your home.
Heavy snow on shrubs.
Heavy snow on shrubs can be devastating. Shrubs such as arborvitae can not with-stand the weight of significant snow. They will bend over and in some cases snap off. If you lose a few of the main branches of the plant, chances are it will never recover. The remaining plant may live, but it may look bare and unsightly. On your smaller plants, it is possible to remove snow clumps from the plant. Hand removal will minimize breakage or damage to the branches. Some snow on the plant is great, all you have to do is remove enough snow so that the plant is not sagging.