As the snow from winter starts to melt, you may notice that the branches of your trees are shrubs have become misshapen. The weight from heavy snow and ice laying on the branches could cause them to bend, especially in trees like willows, elms, and evergreen shrubs. Though the snow will disappear as spring emerges, your shrubs or trees may have sustained some real damage. Luckily, you can help them straighten out and start to regain their original shape by using stakes and ties. This rejuvenation method will only be helpful for bent branches – snapped branches will need to be pruned.
If you live in an area with longer winters and snow is still covering your shrubs and trees, you’ll need to wait until it melts to try to fix the bending. Attempting to readjust the tree or removing ice from the plant could cause the branches to break. In some cases, lightly sweeping off large amounts of snow could help mitigate the damage. When dealing with larger trees, it may be best to contact a professional for help to avoid hurting yourself when trying to reach the branches.
Helping your bent tree branches and shrubs after winter
Growing Wisdom/YouTube
An easy way to help your bent shrubs and small trees is by inserting a stake, such as a pole, fence post, or bamboo stick, into the ground beside the affected branches. Then, use a flexible piece of rubber, old pantyhose, scraps of fabric, or even bungee cords to carefully tie the branch to the support. It’s important to select a material for your tie that won’t put extra stress on the plant, so steer clear of thin string or wire. These materials could cut into the wood, creating even more problems than the snow.
While this method may take a few months to help your shrubs and trees start to regain their shape, it will provide support and allow the plants to adjust slowly. Stakes and ties for your trees and shrubs can also be implemented before the snow begins to fall. This can prevent the damage from occurring in the first place, or at least minimize it. Pruning your trees in winter to get rid of branches that are already broken will also help to keep them healthy.
