Nowadays it seems like a rare occurrence that Richmond gets any noticeable amount of winter weather. With any significant weather event, trees are vulnerable to potential damage. Snow and ice is no exception.
Snow and ice can have the potential to damage trees and shrubs, leading to broken branches, bent trunks, and overall plant stress. Heavy snow accumulation, ice and freezing rain create a weight burden that branches and limbs may not be able to support, resulting in cracks, splits, or complete breakage. Ice can also freeze limbs in place, preventing movement and causing them to snap under pressure. This is most commonly seen in evergreen trees such as Magnolia, Pine, and Holly, as their leaves and needles are another surface to collect the extra weight of snow and ice.
The first and most straightforward proactive step you can take for your trees is to have them assessed for potential pruning. Arborists are trained to identify parts of trees that may have excessive weight, or could have issues supporting the unplanned weight of snow and ice. Pruning can help mitigate these risks, but as with all aspects of trees, there’s no way to deem them 100% “safe”.
If heavy snow accumulates, gently brush it off branches with a broom or other soft tool. Avoid shaking or hitting branches, as this can cause them to snap. Obviously this isn’t feasible for large trees, but it’s super critical with evergreen shrubs such as Boxwoods, and smaller evergreen trees such as Cypresses. Do what you can!
By staying vigilant and taking these preventive steps, you can help mitigate the risk of any potential damage to your trees and shrubs caused by winter weather. Give us a call if your tree has seen damage this winter, if you’d like to set up a time to have your property inspected for any recommended work!