By Jessica Carlson

OTC Master Gardener Intern

If you’ve lived in Minnesota long enough, you know that some winter storms love to throw a little extra weight on our yards in the form of heavy wet snow. It certainly is welcome after such a dry fall. However, branches bend like they’re trying to touch their toes. And then there’s the salt from roads and sidewalks that always seems to wind up exactly where we don’t want it. Most shrubs and evergreens can handle more than we think. They just need a little help along the way.

Right after a measurable snowfall, you can gently brush snow off your shrubs with your hand or a soft broom. Resist the urge to shake off the branches. Start at the bottom and work your way up to avoid breaking bent branches. Lift the snow up and off instead of pushing it down which may snap off the branch. If everything is coated in ice, it’s better to wait it out. Ice will melt on its own and trying to chip it off usually causes more harm than good. Bent, but not broken branches will likely recover on their own without special care.

Evergreens, especially arborvitae, like to make things dramatic in winter. After heavy snowfall, they’ll splay open or lean like they’re giving up. Minnesota Extension encourages patience here. Arborvitae stems are brittle in the cold and forcing them into position by tying can cause permanent damage. Most of them slowly stand back up once the snow disappears and we get a warm stretch. If one stays open in spring, that’s when you can gently tie it together with something soft like garden Velcro.

After a winter weather event it’s likely there would have been some road salt used on a nearby street or sidewalk that may have affected your plantings.  It dries out roots and needles, and some plants don’t handle it well. You can protect your shrubs by putting up a simple burlap screen or even a temporary fence to block salty spray. And if you’re considering planting near driveways or streets, it helps to pick plants that can roll with the salty punches. In Zone 4a, good salt tolerant evergreens include Mugo Pine, Scots Pine, many varieties of Juniper, Eastern Red Cedar, and White Spruce. They hold up better through winter and handle roadside spray.

If you want to cut back on salt altogether, there are friendlier options. Sand adds traction without harming plants. Calcium Magnesium Acetate is gentler on soil, and on our pets’ paws. Even non-clumping clay kitty litter will help with traction without adding damaging salts.

For more information and guidance on protecting trees and shrubs in the winter please visit https;//extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/protecting-trees-and-shrubs-winter