How to Manage Snow and Ice on Shrubs and Trees Without Causing Damage
Snow and ice can weigh heavily on shrubs and trees, bending branches, breaking stems, and causing long-term structural damage. After more than 30 winters gardening in Sonoma Valley—and dealing with everything from wet snow to freezing rain—I’ve learned that the way you handle winter storms can make the difference between a spring full of healthy growth and a season of repairs. With a few simple techniques, you can help woody plants survive winter weather with minimal stress.
Why Snow and Ice Cause Damage
- Weight: Wet, heavy snow can accumulate quickly on branches and bend or snap them.
- Rapid freezes: Sudden drops in temperature freeze water on branches, encasing them in ice.
- Wind + ice: Ice-covered branches lose flexibility and become more prone to breaking.
- Evergreens at higher risk: Their dense foliage catches and holds more snow than deciduous trees.
What You Should Not Do
Some instinctive actions actually cause more harm:
- Do not shake branches. Sudden movement can cause brittle, frozen wood to snap.
- Do not try to chip or knock off ice. Ice removal often causes breakage.
- Do not prune during a freeze. Wood becomes more brittle and wounds may not seal properly.
Let the plant warm naturally before attempting cleanup.
How to Safely Remove Snow
Light, Dry Snow
If the snow is powdery and fresh:
- Use a soft broom or gloved hand.
- Brush upward, gently lifting snow off branches.
- Start at the bottom branches and work upward to avoid loading lower branches.
Wet, Heavy Snow
- Support the branch underneath with one hand.
- Use the other hand to gently lift snow off, one small section at a time.
- Work slowly—bending frozen wood can cause it to split.
How to Handle Ice
Ice requires patience.
If branches are coated in ice:
- Do nothing until temperatures rise.
- Allow the ice to melt naturally; forcing it off almost always causes breakage.
If a branch breaks under ice load:
- Wait until a thaw.
- Prune cleanly back to a lateral branch or the branch collar.
Prevention: Preparing Shrubs and Trees Before Snow Arrives
A few fall tasks can dramatically reduce winter damage:
1. Prune Properly
- Remove weak, dead, crossing, or damaged branches.
- Thin dense shrubs so snow can pass through rather than sit on top.
2. Tie or Bundle Vulnerable Shrubs
Especially useful for:
- Boxwood
- Arborvitae
- Juniper
- Italian cypress
Use jute twine to draw stems together loosely so they support each other.
3. Mulch the Base
A 2–4 inch layer of mulch protects roots and stabilizes soil temperature, reducing winter stress.
4. Protect Young Trees
- Use tree wraps to prevent sunscald on thin-barked trunks.
- Stake only if necessary and remove stakes in spring.
What to Do After the Storm
Inspect for Damage
Look for:
- Split branches
- Cracks at branch unions
- Bent stems on shrubs
- Broken tips on evergreens
Prune Only When Thawed
Cold wood shatters under tools.
Make clean cuts once temperatures rise above freezing.
Re-straighten Bent Shrubs
- Gently coax the plant upright.
- Tie loosely with soft ties for support until spring growth returns.
When to Call an Arborist
Seek professional help if:
- Large limbs have fallen
- Cracks are present in major scaffold branches
- A tree is leaning after a snow or ice event
- Electric or utility lines are involved
Safety first—winter damage can destabilize an otherwise healthy tree.
Conclusion
Managing snow and ice on shrubs and trees is mostly about gentle handling and smart prevention. With careful post-storm cleanup and a few fall preparations, you can help your woody plants withstand winter weather and bounce back strong in spring.
