Heavy snow damage to trees and shrubs

Heavy, wet snow can put a surprising amount of weight on branches. Small trees, broad shrubs, and upright cedars may bend out of shape, while weak attachments can split under the load.

Keep your own safety in mind before trying to help a plant. Don't stand beneath damaged branches, climb a snowy tree, or work near a power line. Broken or hanging limbs are a reason to keep the area clear and call for help.

For a small shrub that you can reach safely from the ground, loose snow may be gently brushed away without bending the branches further. Don't strike or shake frozen branches, and leave ice alone. Trying to force a frozen plant back into shape can cause more damage than waiting for the load to release.

Once the snow is gone, look for splits, torn branches, and stems that remain badly out of position. Some damage can be addressed with proper pruning. Certain cedars may be candidates for support, but a split stem needs a different assessment from a flexible one that has simply bent.

An arborist can help you decide what can recover and what needs attention. Avoid making hurried cuts just to make the tree look tidy. Preserving sound structure is more useful than removing every branch that looks uneven after a storm.