Plan for bad snow and ice storms

If past years are any example, there is a good chance in December, January and/or February we will have a couple of bad ice and snow storms. A heavy snowfall or ice storm may bend branches to the point where homeowners think something should be done. Of course, there may be points where the branches snap, and the homeowner will have to do something.

Sometimes, the best thing may be to do nothing if the branch starts bending, states David Robson, University of Illinois Extension, horticulture educator, Springfield Center. Branches have a natural tendency to bend under the weight of ice and snow. Anyone who has swung on a limb or pulled it down to pick an apple realizes the elasticity of limbs. However, there is a limit. Bend a branch back too far and it breaks.

Weak wooded trees such as poplar, Siberian Elm, willows and silver maple suffer the most breakage during heavy snows or ice. Similarly, trees with rot, decay, weak crotch angles or V-shaped crotches easily split in severe weather.

Most heavy, wet snows do not accumulate to a sufficient degree to cause damage to single-trunk deciduous trees and shrubs. The problem usually occurs with multi-stemmed plants and evergreens such as arborvitae.

Multi-stemmed plants or those with weak crotch angles are prone to weight damage. The union between the branches generally is not strong and damage can occur.

Old stems are more prone to injury than younger ones, much like people and bones. The thicker the bark, the less likely the limb will bend.

Evergreens also suffer under ice and heavy snowfall due to the increased surface area of the plant. Needles capture every flake or ice crystal. Branches may bend or break on an evergreen under the same snow amount when no damage occurs on a leafless shade tree.

Running out with a broom or stick to brush snow away may cause more pressure on a limb and cause it to break as you are hitting the snow or ice away. Additionally, there is a chance the limb may suddenly fly up and hit you.

The best recourse is to wait until the snow or ice melts. Most branches will return to their original position a couple of days after the snow or ice melts. If branches have been bent out of shape, they can be propped up or tied to higher branches in the spring before new growth appears. Within a month or two, the limb should have been set and anchors or props removed.

Limbs broken or damaged by ice or snow should be inspected carefully before pruning or removal. Ask yourself if the landscape would be better off with the tree or shrub removed if the damage is severe. This might seem drastic, but it would allow for better quality trees and shrubs to grow.

Additionally, decide if the work can be done from the ground with pruners, saws and loppers that you have available. If not, consider calling in a professional.

Prune trees and shrubs regularly to promote a strong branching pattern. Shrubs such as forsythia, redtwig dogwood and lilac should be pruned to encourage new growth and remove old wood.

Pruning should start the minute you plant the tree or shrub and continue throughout the years to develop strong branches. However, that is little consolation in the dead of winter when ice and snow build up.

If you have other questions, call the Peoria County Extension Office. Call 309-685-3140 or www.extension.uiuc.edu/peoria.