How to prevent winter damage to evergreens
Q: These snow and ice storms we had covered my evergreens with ice! Should I be removing the ice or letting it melt naturally? I do not want to lose my evergreens.
A: Ice and snow can damage evergreens by bending and breaking branches. After a snowstorm, heavy snow can be removed by gently brushing the snow off with a broom. However, do not violently shake the branches, as this can also cause further breakage.
Ice removal is a trickier procedure. If the ambient temperature is above freezing, pouring room-temperature water on small to medium evergreens can help melt the ice. Never use hot or boiling water as this can cause further damage. This messy procedure is not always successful in removing ice, and can cause pedestrian hazards in the surrounding walkways due to freezing water.
Unfortunately, nothing can be done to assist large evergreens; it is recommended to let the ice melt naturally. After the storm, remove limbs that are broken, split or damaged, for both safety and plant health.
The good news is evergreens are resilient. Eventual new growth will slowly fill in blank spots from branch removal. In the future, prevention is key. Either in the late fall, or before a storm, lightly tie-up smaller evergreens with biodegradable jute twine or a bungee cord. Be conscious to select a material that will not cut into the bark, causing damage. Pull the branches together and loosely encircle the plant, lightly tying off the twine on stems near the base and top three-fourths of the evergreen. The goal of the twine is to prevent bending and breaking of the branches in response to ice and snow, not immobilize them, so do not strongly flex the branches while tying up.
After the possibility of storms has passed, and before new spring growth, remove all twine, as left over twine can girdle the plant.
Finally, prevention can begin when planning a garden, by selecting evergreens that are not commonly damaged by ice and snow. Some conical evergreens, including cedars and junipers, will develop multiple stems or trunks, increasing the chances of winter storm damage. If these plants are already in your landscape, slowly prune any vertical stem that is not the central trunk, as single-stemmed evergreens are less likely to suffer winter damage.
- Kayla Chase
• Provided through the Master Gardener Answer Desk, Friendship Park Conservatory, Oak Park Conservatory and University of Illinois Extension, North Cook Office, Arlington Heights. Visit go.illinois.edu/LearnMoreMG or email northcookmg@gmail.com.