Prepare Your Trees for Snow, Ice, and Freezing Temperatures

When winter settles over the Shenandoah Valley, our mountains turn white, the air gets crisp, and the landscape shifts into its quiet, restful season. While you’re pulling out coats and gloves, your trees are preparing for winter dormancy too—and they need a little attention to stay healthy through snow, ice, and temperature swings.

Proper winter tree care prevents storm damage, protects young and vulnerable trees, reduces pest problems, and sets your landscape up for strong spring growth.

Below are 11 Essential Winter Tree Care Tips recommended by certified arborists in Page County

1. Winter Tree Trimming & Pruning

Winter is the safest and most effective time to prune trees in the Shenandoah Valley.

Because deciduous trees have shed their leaves, arborists can clearly see branch structure and identify:

• Dead or broken limbs

• Diseased branches

• Poor growth patterns

• Storm hazards

Dormant pruning helps shape trees, reduces the risk of winter branch failure, and limits the spread of diseases like oak wilt and Dutch elm disease because cold temperatures discourage insect activity.

Best practice: Hire a certified arborist for winter pruning, especially for oaks, elms, and large shade trees.

2. Inspect Trees After Heavy Snow & Ice

Snow in Page County may look light and fluffy, but it gets heavy fast. After winter storms, check trees for:

• Cracked or hanging limbs

• Damaged branch tips

• Leaning sections

• Splits in the trunk

• Signs of decay or interior rot

If you notice significant damage, avoid walking underneath the tree and call an arborist for a safety assessment.

3. Look for Insect and Disease Problems

Even in winter, trees can show early warning signs of:

• Scale insects

• Borers

• Fungal diseases

• Cankers

• Root stress

Catching issues early means treatment can begin in early spring—often before serious damage develops.

 Soil & Root Zone Winter Care

4. Fertilize Trees & Shrubs in Winter

Urban and suburban soils in the Shenandoah Valley tend to be low in organic matter.

A slow-release fertilizer:

• Replenishes lost nutrients

• Boosts tree immunity

• Improves tolerance to cold, pests, and disease

• Supports vigorous spring growth

This is especially important for young trees, stressed trees, and ornamental species.

5. Keep Rock Salt Away From Trees

Sodium chloride (traditional rock salt) can damage roots, dry out the soil, and cause:

• Burnt or yellow needles

• Browning leaf tips

• Branch dieback

Safer alternatives include:

• Calcium chloride

• Magnesium chloride

• Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA)

If salt exposure occurs, an arborist can flush the soil and restore nutrients in spring.

6. Protect Turf & Beds Near Walkways

Salt can leach into grass and garden beds.

You can minimize damage by:

• Using salt sparingly

• Installing snow or silt fencing

• Applying granulated gypsum to help buffer salt in early spring

Protecting Trees & Shrubs from Winter Damage

7. Wrap Tree Trunks to Prevent Winter Injury

Young trees, thin-barked trees (like maples), and arborvitae benefit from winter trunk protection.

A breathable burlap wrap helps prevent:

• Sunscald

• Frost cracking

• Deer rubbing

• Rabbit & vole girdling

• Sapsucker pecking

Remove wraps in early spring once temperatures stabilize.

8. Apply Anti-Desiccant Spray to Evergreens

Our dry, windy winters can pull moisture from evergreen needles faster than roots can replace it.

Anti-desiccant sprays:

• Lock in moisture

• Reduce needle browning

• Protect boxwoods, hollies, rhododendrons, and arborvitae

Apply when temperatures are above freezing and trees are dry.

9. Remove Snow from Trees Gently

A few guidelines:

• Shake trees only if the snow is freshly fallen and fluffy

• Never attempt to remove ice—it can cause branches to snap

• Use an upward motion with a soft broom on evergreens

• Let nature melt heavy snow and ice naturally

• After storms, check for bent or damaged branches.

10. Apply Dormant Oil to Reduce Spring Infestations

Overwintering insects hide in bark crevices and lay eggs that hatch in early spring.

Dormant oil:

• Smothers scale, mites, and eggs

• Provides natural pest control

• Protects fruit trees, ornamentals, and shade trees

Best applied by an arborist on a dry winter day above freezing.

11. Store Container Plants Properly

Potted plants left outside can suffer root damage from freeze–thaw cycles.

Store containers:

• In a garage

• In a shed

• Or clustered close to the house with mulch around them

This protects delicate roots from winter injury.

Common Winter Tree Care Mistakes to Avoid

• Overwatering before the ground freezes

• Piling too much mulch (mulch volcanoes!)

• Pruning at the wrong time

• Ignoring trunk protection on young trees

• Letting storm damage go unchecked

• Using too much rock salt

• Neglecting dormant oil treatments

Avoiding these mistakes keeps your trees stronger, healthier, and more storm-resilient.

Winter Storm Damage Services in Page County, VA

Winter weather in the Shenandoah Valley can cause surprise damage.

Call us right away if you notice:

• Large broken limbs

• Trees leaning after ice storms

• Cracks or splits in the trunk

• Branches on roofs, fences, or vehicles

We offer emergency tree service, professional assessments, and safe removal.