Guest post by John Lang of Friendly Tree. Anyone who has lived around trees is all too familiar with the dreaded “crack” that often follows a major snowstorm. Spring storms can be devastating as the heavy, wet snow can prove to be too much for some trees. Although cottonwoods, elms, willows and poplars tend to be hit the hardest, due to their soft, brittle wood, no trees are completely safe with heavy snow or high winds. The method in which you care for your trees after a snowstorm will play a major role in their recovery. Assessing the Damage In general, if only small branches are damaged, you can expect the tree to make a full recovery without intervention. If many large branches are damaged, it’s possible to save the tree with proper pruning and care. The general rule of thumb is that if the tree is healthy, its main leader is still intact, it still has most of its major branches and at least 50 percent of its crown, the tree should recover. It’s very important to watch out for power lines tangled in downed branches. If there are damaged trees located between the sidewalk and the street, there’s … Continue reading Caring for Your Trees After a Heavy Snowfall