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While many may be glad that the old year is behind us (due to financial or other sadness,) the Chisago County Master Gardeners had a great year. Combined, we logged in several thousand hours of volunteer service at the Lindstrom Home Show, the Bonanza, the Spring Fever class series, working the Farmers Market, the Almelund Threshing Show, several hundred phone calls concerning gardening, and the list goes on. Thanks to Starr Carpenter. Although she stepped down as our coordinator she will remain in the program. Enter Sue Humble as new coordinator and she is already doing a fantastic job.

My dad had a great saying, which I use maybe too often. It was, "It goes back and forth like sour milk in a kitten." That's exactly what our December weather was like. I like the four seasons, just not all in one day. It went from warm to sleet to snow to cold and back again. While the snow cover is good for many things, the changes in the weather can cause serious problems to trees and shrubs.

All trees and shrubs are prone to snow and ice damage if the right conditions exist. Heavy snow or ice on any tree with weak branches can result in breakage. Weak wooded deciduous trees like Siberian elm, green ash, and silver maple are all very susceptible to winter breakage, multiple leader or clump trees, such as birch or redbud, are high risk candidates for breakage.

Conifers are commonly seen drooping after a wet, heavy snow or ice storm. Upright evergreens, such as arborvitae and juniper are probably the most prone to snow and ice damage, where spruce and fir are most resistant. Pines tend to be moderately susceptible to snow and ice damage, depending on the location and size of the tree.

High winds that often occur during snow or ice storms can greatly increase the incident of breakage. It's true that small twigs are naturally thinned during such storms. However, when healthy limbs of broad-leaved trees and shrubs are broken due to the weight of extremely heavy snow and ice, that's a different matter. In the most extreme cases, if too much snow or ice accumulates on the upper part of the tree the root system can be lifted right out of the ground.

If the branches become covered with snow and ice avoid disturbing the branches when they are frozen and brittle. When conditions are warmer, gently shake the ice or snow from the covered ranches. Carefully brush off the snow with a broom in an upward fashion as down strokes put greater stress on the branches. If ice covered branches are severely bent on small trees and shrubs, prop them up with stakes to prevent breakage. Don't beat the tree or shrub with a broom or rake as this can create more damage.

Nothing can be done to prevent damage on large trees. Saving the trees but losing the homeowner is never a good trade. Homeowners can be injured or killed if a large ice laden branch or tree were to break off while the homeowner was beneath the tree. Climbing a large tree when it is covered with ice or snow can be deadly. Although it can be quite costly, probably the only safe way to deal with large trees with storm damage is to call a professional tree service.

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