Structural pruning and seasonal maintenance can offset the worst of breakages from seasonal storms
In the Northern Plains , we have a long season of heavy , wet snow and internal-combustion engine , which can cause significant terms to our shrubs and Tree . With most plant in a dormant commonwealth , we can do some care now during winter to keep having to assess and handle Baron Snow of Leicester - and - ice impairment in the futurity .
Regular maintenance pruning strengthens trees and gives you the opportunity to spot weaknesses
perform regular pruning to tree diagram and shrub is not only important for the esthetics of plant life but is also crucial to denigrate potential impairment from heavy snow - and - crank loads . morphologic pruning and removal of dead or weak branches enables Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to comfortably manage the additional weight and all - too - frequent winter jazz of the Northern Plains . By going through your trees and execute those tasks now in wintertime sleeping , you could substantially increase the betting odds of decreasing wintertime scathe from future storms . If you determine that certain limbs of a pregnant size are weak , then wire or bracing may be need to further support the structure of the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in question .
Pay special attention to certain trees
precedency should be apply to trees in your landscape painting that are most prone to wintertime equipment casualty . Common evergreen in the Northern Plains such as American arborvitae ( Thuja occidentalis , Zones 2–7 ) , yew ( Taxus×media , Zones 4–8 ) , and Rocky Mountain raetam ( Juniperus scopulorum , zone 3–7 ) can be braced by loosely tying multiple stems together . Members of the poplar ( Populusspp . and cvs . , Zones 2–9 ) , birch rod ( Betulaspp . and cvs . , Zones 2–7 ) , willow tree ( Salixspp . and cvs . , Zones 2–11 ) , maple ( Acerspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–8 ) , and elm ( Ulmusspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) genus tend to have brittle Ellen Price Wood that is prostrate to wintertime harm if not properly pruned and keep . These tree diagram should be at the top of the lean for receiving structural pruning . If you are not confident in perform the pruning , rent an arborist to value and safely execute the tasks .
Remove snow as soon as possible if there’s no ice on tree limbs
If you are in the middle of a meaning blizzard , one direction to deal with the likely damage of backbreaking snow is to sporadically brush the snow off with a broom . This works best on those trees and shrubs you could reach from the terra firma . Sometimes a simple-minded shake of the tree or shrub ’s subdivision is enough to remove the blow . This method should not be used in conditions of ice , however , as damage is more probable to happen because of the shaking ; instead , allow methamphetamine to of course melt off . If a heavy snow load is left on too longsighted , breakage or lasting bend and disfiguration may occur . This is often what happens with uncouth evergreen and deciduous shrubs during the periodical blizzard we face .
Don’t forget to check for damage after the storms pass
Assess your tree and shrubs after each substantial ice storm or snowstorm . Check for unkept limbs and arm as well as crack in the trunks of trees . Monitor for meaning change , and consult your local expert on solution . Only remove damage stuff once conditions permit a safe work environs . For more on structural pruning and pruning winter damage , readPruning Tips and Techniques . For more confidential information on keep your trees from winter storms , readPreventing and Repairing Winter Damage .
— Chris Schlenker is the horticulture and grounds manager of McCrory Gardens at South Dakota State University in Brookings , South Dakota .
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Long Handle EZ - Digger
Fine Gardening receive a commission for item purchased through link on this site , include Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programme .
DeWit Spork with Solid Socket
ARS telescope Long Reach Pruner
Get our latest tip , how - to article , and instructional video recording sent to your inbox .
Signing you up …
Related Articles
Preventing Winter Salt Damage
Damage to Look for When the Snow Melts
Preventing Winter Damage in the Garden
Preventing and Repairing Winter Damage
link up o.k. horticulture for a loose enlist bouncy webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a far-famed plant diagnostician as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals technical handler …
When I spotted a particular sand dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few month ago , I be intimate I was in trouble . With a delightful color design …
When we only prioritize plants we want over plant our landscape painting needs , each season is fill with a never - stop list of chores : pruning , pinching , watering , treating , repair , and fertilizing , with …
Subscribe today and save up to 47%
Video
Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat
You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to travel on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a pair …
4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden
Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill
Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage
4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard
All Access phallus get more
Start Free Trial
Get concluded website access to expert advice , regional content , and more , plus the print mag .
startle your detached test
Already a member?enter
Heavy snow loads can crack branches, which may require pruning to recover what’s left of the limbs.Photo: Chris Schlenker
It’s best to prune trees when they are small to prevent branches from growing in problematic angles. These are more likely to snap in future storms.Photo: Chris Schlenker
This river birch (Betula nigra, Zones 4–9) has snapped under the weight of snow.Photo: Chris Schlenker
