Knowledgebase

How to manage snow damaged trees #780919

Asked January 28, 2022, 8:19 AM EST

Our little 3 acre forest yard has a lot of snow damaged trees and bushes. There is 3 types of damage: split or broken off limbs and tree tops, bent over limbs that are still bent, and uprooted trees on hillsides(probably weight too much when bent over and the roots lost their grip.). Most of the damaged trees are 4-6 inch diameter trees. What do you suggest we do with these damaged trees? Do we prop up the uprooted trees? Do we tie up the bent arches to encourage more natural growth? What do we do with the split and broken ends if branches and treetops that we can reach?

Prince George's County Maryland

Expert Response

Three acres is a beautiful forest, but is very large.

We suggest that you start by trying to help any landscaped areas of your yard where you have planted ornamentals or that you prize or see from within your home that need your help.

Overall you can go out asap with a long handled broom to knock down/release some of the snow load on trees you are concerned about. Evergreens tend to hold more and are more likely to break so dust them off first.

The bent over branches of deciduous trees like the one in your photo, once relieved of the snow pack are likely to straighten up with time, especially in the growing season. 

For trees in your landscape areas that have snapped, you can prune back to the nearest limb with a fresh cut, which is more likely to heal well than a break. Here is our page on pruning to make the healthiest cuts: 

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/pruning-trees

From a distance it is difficult to really tell you what to do with the trees that have heaved out of the ground. If they are young and easily re-stablized, you could try to prop them up and re-introduce the rootball to good earth, but if lots of roots were lost it may be futile.  If it is a naturally growing tree in an established woodlot we would just tend to leave it alone. Dead or alive (or struggling) trees are valuable to wildlife habitat and can be kept in place as long as their eventual/possible fall would not harm people or property.

Otherwise, you could also consider hiring a tree health expert, called a certified arborist to evaluate your situation. You can search for an ISA-Certified Arborist at the credentialing website here: www.treesaregood.org

Christine


Hi Christine!
Thank you!  I did what you suggested during and after the big snow earlier this month.
The pruning will need to wait for warmer days.

The ones I'm really concerned about are the ones that are still bowed even after the snow was gently removed from them.  I have quite a few that haven't recovered their shape.  They had some relief after I took the snow off and they aren't touching the ground now however their branches are still bent over.

any other suggestions for them?

- Melina

The Question Asker Replied January 28, 2022, 6:02 PM EST

The trees are dormant (not growing) right now but the bent over branches of deciduous trees are likely to straighten up with time, especially in the growing season, though in some cases it could take more than a season.

You could ask a certified arborist (see above).

We are not sure of the results or risks, but you could carefully try gently staking branches toward a more upright position(depending on size perhaps using the back of a rake or a "T" shaped wooden thing, or by using a guy wire or cable to help. Be sure to protect the tree with a cloth, foam noodle or piece of hose between the branch and the wire/stake.

Christine

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