Snowstorm Jonas Aftermath: What to do with all that snow on trees?

[lieuz]

Living in Northern VA, we got about 32 inches of snow when Jonas hit. A lot of the snow has been melting and I would assume with the 60 degree weather hitting us early next week, a lot more will be meting. However, if this warm weather not hit us for say another month or so; should so much snow be left to compact on the trees? I know a layer of snow is good to blanket the tree; however, 2 feet of snow seems excessive. What do the proper winterizing guidelines say about excessive snow accumulation?

 

[M. Frary]

My trees are buried under feet of snow every winter. Just leave it to melt off on its own. We had a little thaw last week then a freeze. Supposed to maybe get a smattering of rain Sunday then back to freezing. My trees will literally be enclosed in a block of ice.
Could actually be a blessing in disguise for people who live in climates where their trees tend to wake up too early.

 

[Cadillactaste]

One mentioned in another thread they remove that large amount of snow off of branches after having lost branches one winter. Good luck to you...

 

[lieuz]

@M. Frary you are too right on this one. I keep on forgetting we are in a stranger than usual winter. Leaving that snow may actually help us buy some time when the weather actually will hit mid 60s. Yeesh.

 

[GrimLore]

I never touch them and they do just fine. They slowly defrost and perk back up - at least in these parts. On the LARGE coniferous where the branches get almost ripped off and downward it is better to clear them a bit but NEVER when frozen. In summation - during the storm is the best time to clear them several times. The few small plants I have left here where under this and never cleared and as they are defrosting seem to be fine as they always have in the past - I don't have any large ones anymore but what I described has worked in the past for years here in PA and before that in NY.



It looks horrible but I can wager even the Ivy in the hanging basket and the Junipers you cannot see will be just fine.

Grimmy

 

[lieuz]

Thanks @GrimLore Seems like that is the overall consensus. It that darn love emotion kicking in, really need to keep that at bay sometimes.

 

[rockm]

Living in Northern VA, we got about 32 inches of snow when Jonas hit. A lot of the snow has been melting and I would assume with the 60 degree weather hitting us early next week, a lot more will be meting. However, if this warm weather not hit us for say another month or so; should so much snow be left to compact on the trees? I know a layer of snow is good to blanket the tree; however, 2 feet of snow seems excessive. What do the proper winterizing guidelines say about excessive snow accumulation?

Be cool. Stop worrying about it. Leave the snow. Thank God for it. It is the best protection you can get against winter. I'm actually trying to keep some of it from melting at this point.

http://www.bonsainut.com/threads/bonsai-will-have-to-wait-until-june.21874/

BTW, you can do a lot more damage trying to remove snow and ice from your trees than just leaving it alone

 

[lieuz]

@rockm You have an avatar! Thanks!