Columnar Trees and Heavy Snow - Ask Extension
In the most recent snow storm in Denver (April 20), the snow caused my columnar junipers to droop over significantly. What is the best way to help...
Knowledgebase
Columnar Trees and Heavy Snow #865921
Asked April 25, 2024, 3:59 PM EDT
In the most recent snow storm in Denver (April 20), the snow caused my columnar junipers to droop over significantly.
What is the best way to help them get back to being upright? What is the best way to protect them in the future?
Denver County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Bridget,
Sometimes even columnar trees do get a heavy snow load, and remain bent over for a time. Usually they will recover over time, with warmer weather and the natural inclination of the stem leader to stand upright.
If they don't straighten to your satisfaction, then staking them with posts and twine or wire will help the process along faster.
To prevent breakage in the winter, you can shake off the snow during a storm so that the load doesn't reach the breaking point. Start at the bottom of the tree, because starting at the top sends the extra snow toward the lower branches, which magnifies the weight and could break lower limbs. You may have to do this multiple times during a storm--especially in the spring when the snow is very wet.
Also, pruning towards a better structure of the tree may help. If the top of your junipers have stray branches coming off near the top, prune to a more columnar shape to naturally shed snow.
Here are more tips on managing snow load on your trees:
https://gardening.ces.ncsu.edu/2022/01/preventing-and-managing-ice-and-snow-damage-to-landscape-plants/
Sometimes even columnar trees do get a heavy snow load, and remain bent over for a time. Usually they will recover over time, with warmer weather and the natural inclination of the stem leader to stand upright.
If they don't straighten to your satisfaction, then staking them with posts and twine or wire will help the process along faster.
To prevent breakage in the winter, you can shake off the snow during a storm so that the load doesn't reach the breaking point. Start at the bottom of the tree, because starting at the top sends the extra snow toward the lower branches, which magnifies the weight and could break lower limbs. You may have to do this multiple times during a storm--especially in the spring when the snow is very wet.
Also, pruning towards a better structure of the tree may help. If the top of your junipers have stray branches coming off near the top, prune to a more columnar shape to naturally shed snow.
Here are more tips on managing snow load on your trees:
https://gardening.ces.ncsu.edu/2022/01/preventing-and-managing-ice-and-snow-damage-to-landscape-plants/
