Tips for dealing with snow-damaged plants

Warmer weather and melting snow are revealing damage caused by this year’s heavy snow accumulation to many trees, plants and shrubs.

The nation’s lawn and landscape association, the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), offers homeowners tips for dealing with damaged plants.

“Our company has been sending teams out to assess the damage to our clients’ trees, shrubs and plants,” said PLANET member, Bruce Allentuck of Allentuck Landscaping Co., in Clarksburg, Maryland. “People are definitely worried about permanent damage caused by the snow and salt this winter.”

PLANET offers its top tips for evaluating damage to your yard:

• Don’t remove snow. Let it melt. The snow is heavily packed down now. At this point, it is better to let the snow melt than to try to dig out your plants. You can do more harm than good.

• Prune broken limbs. If a limb of a shrub, bush or tree is broken, prune it as soon as possible. Make a clean cut that will make it harder for insects and diseases to enter the stressed plant.

• Remove fallen debris. By removing fallen debris and limbs from around your plants, insects and diseases won’t be attracted to that area.

• Look for signs of salt damage. In the spring, look for signs of salt damage. Grass near the road may be stunted and yellow, and trees and shrubs might display yellow leaves with brown leaf margins. The only way to get rid of extra salt is to flush it out with plenty of water. You can also add organic materials to flowerbeds to counteract salt damage.

• Cut off dead limbs. Some plants may have partially survived. In the spring, assess your plants and prune dead limbs.

For more information, or to find a lawn and landscape professional, log on to LandcareNetwork.org/findaprofessional, or call the PLANET office at (800) 395-2522.