Snow and Ice on Trees and Shrubs: What to Brush Off, What to Leave, and When to Call an Arborist

Brush heavy, wet snow off shrubs with upward strokes, starting at the bottom. Leave ice alone to melt. Tie up arborvitae and upright junipers before a sto...

Published 2026-11-03 by ThriveThyme

winter trees shrubs storm damage evergreens

The Short Answer

Heavy snow is worth removing from shrubs. Ice is not. Four rules cover most of it:

1. Sweep upward, starting low. Use a broom with gentle upward strokes and begin with the lowest branches. Sweeping from the top down dumps more weight on the branches below (NC State Extension, Iowa State Extension).
2. Let ice melt on its own. Beating ice-coated branches with a broom or rake only causes more damage (Iowa State). Nebraska Forest Service says there is nothing to do but let it melt, since heat and deicing products can harm the tree.
3. Tie up upright evergreens before a storm. Use soft strips of cloth, nylon hose, or bungee cords, and take them off once the risk of heavy snow passes in spring (Iowa State, NC State).
4. Be patient with bent branches. Branches that bend but do not break usually recover over time without special care (NC State, Illinois Extension).

Which Plants Are Most at Risk

Iowa State Extension names multi-stemmed evergreens like junipers and arborvitae, plus weak-wooded trees like Siberian elm and silver maple, as the most likely to break. Illinois Extension adds trees with more than one central leader, clump or multi-trunk forms such as birch and serviceberry, trees with narrow branch angles or included bark, and evergreens with an upright habit.

Evergreens hold more snow because their foliage gives it more surface to collect on (Nebraska Forest Service). NC State lists arborvitae, upright junipers, Leyland cypress, and 'Sky Pencil' holly as plants that can be splayed or disfigured under heavy snow.

Before the Storm

• Tie up upright evergreens. NC State suggests ringing the outside of the plant with rope or narrow cloth strips, or tying the main leaders together high up inside the shrub. Iowa State says this also creates a cone shape that sheds snow more easily. Avoid anything that could cut into the bark. In Iowa, Iowa State says ties can usually come off in mid to late April.
• Take things off the branches. Lights, bird feeders, birdhouses, and wind chimes can collect ice and add weight (NC State).
• Shield plants under steep roofs. Snow can slide off a roof onto shrubs. Iowa State suggests building a temporary wooden frame over them in fall.
• Prune young trees for structure. NC State notes that a few well placed cuts on a young tree can make the difference between a few broken limbs and total collapse later on.

During and Right After a Snowfall

Light snow can stay put. Nebraska Forest Service says it is time to step in when wet, heavy snow starts piling up. You can clear it during the storm when it is safe, or wait until the storm passes.

Use your hand or a broom to lift each branch gently and let the snow fall off. Support the branch as you go so it does not bounce back, because cold wood is brittle and can snap or crack inside (Nebraska Forest Service). If the tree is heavily loaded, work from the lowest branches up, and repeat if needed. If the snow has frozen on and will not sweep off easily, leave it to melt (NC State, Illinois Extension).

Two more habits help. Do not throw shoveled snow or ice onto shrubs and small trees (Iowa State). And when you clear walks, go easy on sodium chloride deicers. NC State says they can damage roots and leaves of plants within 30 feet.

When Ice Coats the Branches

Ice storms usually do the worst winter damage (Iowa State). If a small tree is bending sharply under ice, you can prop it up to keep it from bending further, but do not push the branches back upright. Iowa State says spraying cold water when the air is above freezing can help melt ice, but it can also add weight. Hot water can injure the plant. In most cases, letting the ice melt naturally is best, and winter sun can melt it fairly fast.

Staying Safe

Stay out from under large trees loaded with ice or snow. Branches can fall without warning (Iowa State, Nebraska Forest Service). Do not climb ladders to reach high branches in snowy or icy weather. Work only from the ground (Nebraska Forest Service). Never go near or cut a limb touching a power line. Call the utility company instead (NC State, Illinois Extension).

Checking the Damage

Wait until the snow and ice melt, then take a look (Illinois Extension).

• Small twigs and limbs only. The tree will likely recover (NC State).
• Many large branches broken. The tree may recover with careful pruning and time, but this is the point to bring in an ISA Certified Arborist (NC State).
• Hidden cracks. Nebraska Forest Service explains that heavy loads can cause stress fractures that are hard to see from the ground in big trees. Left alone, they can cause a full break in the next storm.
• Fallen trees. Young, recently planted trees that tip over can usually be saved if you cover exposed roots right away. NC State says mature trees, trees with trunks over 10 to 12 inches across, and trees with a third or more of their roots exposed should be removed.
• Broken conifers. Arborvitae, juniper, cedar, and other conifers that break apart in ice storms will not recover and should be removed (NC State).
• Broken shrubs. Most shrubs can be cut back hard if needed. NC State lists camellias, azaleas, hollies, spiraea, butterfly bush, and Knock Out rose as shrubs that regrow. Spring bloomers cut back now will skip this year's flowers.

Pruning and Recovery

Only deal right away with branches that pose an immediate hazard. Nebraska Forest Service says to leave minor damage for late winter, since pruning in early winter can expose trees to more freeze damage, and pruning just before dormancy breaks is best. Iowa State says to cut broken limbs back to the main branch or trunk in late winter, and to shape damaged shrubs in spring.

Do not overdo it. Removing more limbs than needed cuts into the leaves the tree uses to feed itself (NC State, Illinois Extension). If branches stay bent, give them weeks or even months. Iowa State says to resist tying them up, because you can break them. If they are still bent by early summer, you can train them back with broad, flexible straps, but do not leave the straps on more than two growing seasons.

In the following months, water during dry spells (NC State, Illinois Extension). NC State also suggests a slow-release or organic fertilizer in spring.

When to Call a Certified Arborist

Call one when:

• Many large branches are broken (NC State).
• Damage is high in a tree you cannot reach from the ground (Nebraska Forest Service).
• A job needs a ladder or a chainsaw (NC State).
• You are not sure whether a tree is safe (Nebraska Forest Service).
• A limb is touching a power line. Call the utility as well (Illinois Extension).

You can find one through the International Society of Arboriculture at treesaregood.org.

Next Steps

• Protect evergreens from drying winds with preventing winter burn on evergreens.
• Keep deicer away from beds with protecting plants from deicing salt.
• Plan dry spell watering with the Fall and Winter Watering desk.

Sources

• NC State Extension, Preventing and Managing Ice and Snow Damage to Landscape Plants
• Iowa State University Extension, How to Prevent Ice and Snow Damage on Trees and Shrubs
• University of Illinois Extension, The weight of winter: Snow and ice on trees
• Nebraska Forest Service, Snow and Ice Damage on Trees