Snow can actually be beneficial to your plants, providing insulation by protecting them from drastic temperature changes during the cooler months. When the snow melts it will also provide your plants with hydration. However if the snow load ends up being too heavy that the plant cannot support it, damage can occur. Listed are some steps that can be taken to minimize damage:

  • Properly prune plants after they are finished growing for the year. This would be when they go dormant for the winter. For deciduous plants, this is when he leaves fall off. Properly pruning means maintaining a strong branch structure and removing expired and undesirable limbs. 
  • If the plant has a poor branch structure and is of small stature, a structure can be erected over the top to prevent the snow from building up, such as a teepee. 
  • Tall and slender plants, such as arborvitae, can be tied up to prevent broken branches. This can be done by wrapping twine in a spiral formation and tying it off, essentially a candy cane with twine.
  • If none of the previous steps are possible, the best route to take would be to remove the snow before it accumulates to harmful levels. This can be done with a broom to limit damage.