Evergreen shrubs and trees are susceptible to damage from heavy snow and ice. Despite our changing climate, snow and ice are still a possibility. If winter precipitation is in the weather forecast, you may want to provide some protection, especially for the evergreens most prone to damage, including arborvitae, boxwood, cedars and junipers, hollies, leyland cypress, and evergreen magnolias. Heavy snow and ice storms cause damage by bending and breaking branches.
Do some advance preparation if a heavy accumulation of snow is predicted. You can protect smaller upright evergreens like arborvitae and juniper by wrapping or tying together the branches. For details and instructions, see Advance Preparations in December Tips for the Ornamental Garden 2020.
If your evergreens are weighed down with snow, removal is an option, but read this paragraph first. “Two causes of damage by snow and ice are weight and careless snow removal.” Relf and Appleton, “Managing Winter Injury to Trees and Shrubs,” Va.Coop.Ext.Pub. 426-500. If a large load of snow is collecting on your shrubs, you may want to remove it, especially if more freezing weather or wind is predicted. Some experts advise against removing snow or ice, but if it seems called for, you should remove it gently. Shaking is not recommended. Always sweep upward with a broom to lift snow off. When the branches are frozen and brittle, avoid disturbing them. Wait until a warmer day or until ice naturally melts away.
Survey your perennials for frost-heaving. The freeze-thaw cycle can push the crowns of perennials or other shallow-rooted plants up out of the ground, especially if your beds are not mulched. If a plant has been heaved from the ground, its roots are exposed to wind desiccation. Replant it as soon as the soil thaws. If the root system is small, you may be able to tamp it back into the soil with your fingers. But if that’s not possible, you’ll need to dig it up, retaining as much of the root system as possible, and replant it. Cover with mulch or evergreen boughs to protect against more of this damaging heaving. Since our temperatures are rocketing between cold and surprisingly warm, frost-heaving will likely be more common than in the past. Take regular tours of your garden to keep an eye out for this.
Don’t forget to water your fall transplants. Fall is a great time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials, and that’s just what I did. If you did also, don’t forget that they may need to be watered during dry spells. If we have an extreme cold spell, evergreen shrubs and trees could be damaged by desiccation. Since we had a relatively dry fall and a very dry December, a round of severe cold weather could cut off the supply of water to the roots, which can lead to desiccation of the leaves or needles. How to prevent this? Here’s the advice from the Virginia Cooperative Extension:
If autumn rains have been insufficient, give plants a deep soaking that will supply water to the entire root system before the ground freezes. This practice is especially important for evergreens. Watering when there are warm days during January, February, and March is also important.
—Managing Winter Injury to Trees and Shrubs, Pub.No. 426-500
Clean dust off houseplants regularly; this allows the plant to gather light more efficiently. Some experts advise dipping the foliage of small plants into tepid water to clean them. Plants with thick, shiny leaves — like Croton, Ficus, Peace Lily, and Bromeliads — should be cleaned with a damp sponge. Water should not be used to clean cacti, African violet leaves, and other plants with hairy leaves; instead, remove dust with a clean, small paintbrush.
Now kick back, and think about spring.
SOURCES:
Featured Photo: Cathy Caldwell
“The Effects of Cold Weather and Snow on Landscape Plants,” culpeper.ext.vt.edu/successful-gardening-through-extension-newsletters
“Managing Winter Injury to Trees and Shrubs,” Va.Coop.Ext. Pub. 426-500
“Growing Indoor Plants with Success,” University of Georgia Extension
