Spring snow is inevitable in Colorado.  Unfortunately for landscaping, that snow often coincides with the key installation and establishment period.  Spring snow – usually wet & heavy – can wreak havok on new landscaping, particularly on young trees.  Redland’s Landscape Architecture Studio has a few tips on how to improve the survivability of your trees during and after a spring snowstorm.

• “To shake, or not to shake?” – Should you shake a tree’s branches as they begin to fold over and hang heavy with snow?  Unless the snow is light and fluffy, shaking is not recommended.  It is best to gently brush the snow off limbs periodically during or immediately after a snow event.  Using a soft broom, use upward sweeping motions.

• Branches that have been buried under snow for a prolonged period of time, or have been covered in ice, should not be brushed off.  Attempting to uncover or clear ice could case unnecessary damage.  It is important, in this case, to wait for the snow and ice to melt in order to assess the situation.  Healthy limbs will naturally bounce back and recover once conditions improve.

• If damage to limbs has occurred, wait until weather conditions improve, then properly prune the damaged area.  Contacting a local arborist is also recommended.

Have any questions about your site’s landscape design?  Contact our Landscape Architecture Studio!