Protecting Trees From Heavy Snow

Winter weather can be brutal. Below-zero temperatures, snow, ice, and low wind chill can cause serious injuries and damage to property. And trees are not an exception.

Trees are living plants and, depending on their health and how much winter prep has been done to them, they can fall victim to the season.

Protecting trees in the snowbelt, where winter weather can get rough, is important to ensure they come back to life with vigor in the spring.

What States Are Considered Snowbelt?

The snowbelt refers to an area of the U.S. in the Midwest that experiences high quantities of snow and cold temperatures during the winter because of its placement near the Great Lakes. These states include Michigan, New York, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Each state in the snowbelt is home to a local Davey office that can help you with your winter tree care.

Tips on How to Protect Trees & Shrubs From Heavy Snow

Heavy snowfall can cause dangerous conditions for trees. Knowing how to protect trees from heavy snow can help ensure your trees survive the winter and continue their lifespans in the spring. Here are some tips on how to avoid snow damage on trees and shrubs:

• If necessary and possible to be done safely, gently brush heavy snow to avoid breakage
• Install trunk guards before snowfall to prevent rodents from gnawing on the bark under the snowline
• Avoid piling snow on shrubs when removing it from walkways and driveways
• Critters start browsing trees more often during heavy snowfall. Deer repellants and rabbit fencing can help protect shrubs and trees from animal damage.

How To Protect Small Trees From Heavy Snow

Small or young trees are more likely to be damaged from heavy snowfall since their limbs aren’t able to hold as much weight as a larger or mature tree. One way to ensure your small trees are protected in winter is to wrap them in burlap sacks for the season.

Wrapping small or young trees in burlap sacks and tying them with twine protects them from dry winter winds, snow loads, sunscald, and damaging salts. As a plus, burlap sacks also keep animals like deer and rabbits from feasting on your trees. Burlap sacks should be removed after the winter’s last frost. 

How to Protect Newly Planted Trees From Heavy Snow

Much like young or small trees, newly planted trees aren’t as strong as trees with deeper roots. They are more susceptible to toppling over from heavy snow, experience frost damage from cold temps, and can experience sunscald.

Wrapping the tree’s trunk with a plastic tree guard or other opaque tree wrap you can find at the garden store will protect your newly planted trees from sunscald.  A frost shield, or anti-transpiaraent, coats trees with a temporary protective film that helps minimize moisture loss. Like a burlap sack, this protective film should be removed after the last frost of winter. 

Read some more tips on how to protect trees and shrubs in harsh winter weather.

Caring For Trees After A Heavy Snowfall

While there are several ways to proactively protect trees and shrubs from snowbelt winter weather, what happens to them once the snow is here? Will trees recover from heavy snow?

If the right steps are taken once snow has fallen, your trees should survive heavy snowfall. First, assess the damage. If some small branches or limbs have fallen from the snow, your tree should make a full recovery. If larger limbs have fallen, proper pruning and care can save it. 

If large limb breaks are not severe, you should be able to prune them yourself. For larger or more complex breaks, contact your local arborist to ensure proper care.

Why Year Round Tree Care Is Important

Winter protection for trees doesn’t take place solely in the winter season. Year-round tree care takes a proactive approach to your tree’s seasonal needs. Addressing each season’s unique needs will help the vitality of your trees by preventing disease, promoting proper growth, and minimizing safety risks.

KEEP YOUR TREES HEALTHY THIS WINTER WITH A COMPREHENSIVE WINTER CHECKLIST