Janet Macunovich 32 Report post Posted February 25, 2016 Please remember after a big snowstorm to lift UP to remove snow from heavily weighted branches. Don't ever push down or beat on an already laden branch. That extra impact downward can be the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back, the extra weight that breaks the limb. If it's ice weighting the branch it won't come off and you should not hit at it to break it off -- same principle of avoiding extra downward force. In that case put a prop under the limb to take the weight. We've used cardboard boxes, crates, stepladders, crutches... Whatever it takes! Woody plants are amazingly resilient, by the way. They can bend nearly to the ground and then spring back. Our 12' Hicks yews have splayed wide and low to 6' under snow many times yet return to their old selves, remaining straight and tall. We've seen birches, arbs, and others rebound after being pressed to the ground, so don't despair. Remove the weight as soon as you can and prune only what's actually broken. Then wait until spring. Sometimes the rebound comes right away, sometimes the limbs return to position as the sap rises in spring. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steven Nikkila 32 Report post Posted February 25, 2016 Here are some Hicks yews weighed down by heavy snow. Hicks yews are upright, columnar shrubs not broad spreading as the snow makes them appear. When knocking the snow off these plants get underneath and push up to knock the snow off. Once the snow has been removed the plants are beginning to stand back up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
