Last updated on December 2nd, 2011
SEEMS THE INCH OF SNOW that fell here last Thursday was only a tease. For last night the heavens delivered five inches of utter madness. Pummeled was the normally-stout Syringa ‘Avalanche’ (above), which resides next the front porch. And the storm punished several other deciduous trees and shrubs here, too. First aid for these still-in-leaf subjects, and a few scenes from my white-washed autumn garden:
Autumn snow can be disastrous for small trees and shrubs which have not yet shed their leaves. Why? Because the snow adheres to the leaves, forcing branches to bend to the ground. This condition — especially if followed by a freeze — almost always leads to broken or permanently misshapen growth. Consequently it pays to remove the snow either as it falls, or immediately afterward. Above, last night’s snow pounded my fountainous, 8-foot tall forsythia into a pathetic, 4-foot mass.
I use a broom to brush off or knock the snow from plants which would otherwise be potentially ruined. Luckily my forsythia bounced right back once the unwelcome weight was removed.
As I stood shivering in the cold, a pleasant sight warmed my soul: one of the previously buried branches revealed a flower! Forsythia requires only 30 cumulative hours of below 40-degree weather in order to bloom. Consequently after a cold September a few buds can appear in October.
My Kousa dogwood is not having a good year. After surviving Hurricane Irene back in August, he was crushed by last night’s snow. I brushed him off this morning, and can only hope he’ll regain his upright shape. The poor guy looks sooooo depressed.
A giant mock-orange near the music room wing of the house was a sorry sight, too. Mercifully it bounced back after its burden of cold was shaken off.
More trouble. Remember the hoop-house I built last week?
It completely collapsed under the weight of snow. But then it was not constructed to withstand January weather in October. I’ll reset the structure later today — there’s no severe weather predicted for the near future.
On a less-depressing note, my statues decided to show off their winter wardrobes. Above, Venus de Milo looks stylish in her pure white, wrap-around stole…
While in the Pool Garden, the Roman Satyr dons a Russian “Ushanka” hat.
How’s the weather in your neck of the woods? Is your garden dressed in vermillion and gold — or is it wearing, like mine, a shocking cloak of white?
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Tammy says
Kevin, we got walloped too — 22″ in 12 hours here in southern NH! And it was heavy, wet snow, like yours was. Ugh! We went out at 8 pm, midnight and first light this morning to very gently shake the branches of our sad, bent over shrubs. While there's still a lot we can't see under all that snow, we don't seem to have lost any limbs or had major damage to anything. Hope we don't have a night like that one again for a while! And I hope your various trees and shrubs pull through.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Tammy – Whoa — you REALLY got walloped! You were very wise to go out and shake the snow from your shrubs. Here's hoping for a warm spell — and no more snow until our precious trees and shrubs are better prepared to handle it!
Kim L says
I only had about 4 inches, but it snapped the top branches from my beautiful dogwood. I'm afraid it will never be the same. waiting for the warmup tomorrow and I'll have to cut them off. Hope she can bounce back.
Anonymous says
Beautiful fall colors here still in Chicago. Well, what survived the strong winds earlier this month. Oaks and some ornamental maples around us holding on, as well as our building's Boston ivy. I am enjoying seeing how my new container edibles address the fall, as well as my longstanding perennials and herbs. The eggplant color is lovely, as is the bergamot and orange mint. But it is time to cut back any perennials and snuggle them in bubble wrap and mulch for overwintering. Hate to do it when they look good but we have had warm weather until Thanksgiving only to be hit with snow just when you leave town.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Kim L. – Isn't it heartbreaking to watch a cherished tree suffer the fate of a freak storm? Here's hoping it returns to full beauty in spring.
Anonymous – That's it. I'm moving to Chicago! Seriously, your garden sounds inviting. But you are right — better start arranging winter protection. I know that your mid-western cold can be fierce.
caitlinvb says
If you cut your PVC in half and connect them with a 90degree elbow at the apex, you get more strength to withstand snow, etc, and it's a quick fix. If you're like me – your todo list is SOOO long sometimes you *have* to take a shortcut… 🙁
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
caitlinvb – you are absolutely right. But I had only a frost blanket draped over the frame. The set-up was intended to withstand wind and heavy downpours, which it did. If I ever plan something more “green-house-y,” I'll certainly build a stronger support system!
Broken Barn Industries says
No real damage here, Kevin. Dodged a bullet like we did with Irene. Still gotta get my bulbs in though!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
BBI – Glad to hear your garden was spared! Hoping for a great thaw here — need to get this place cleaned up before “real” winter arrives.
Cathy says
We lost 4 bradford pears (well, 3 1/2 – half of one went in Irene) that lined the driveway during our 10″ in Orange County NY. I'm not too broken up though, hoping to find something a bit more durable for the future “Allee.” I would love fruit trees that actually have edible fruit – would any work for this application?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Cathy – sorry to hear about your bradfords. I've not had luck with edible fruit trees here. Without regular spraying they tend to “get things.” Also, most are too weak for our increasingly wacky weather.
Were I to stage an allee for my own drive, I'd select the extremely hardy and exceptionally beautiful, and fast growing Yoshino cherry. This is the tree of cherry-blossom-festival fame. I have one in the Serpentine Garden here.
Otherwise, I'd go with Thuja 'Green Giant.' This evergreen grows 3-5 feet annually. it yawns in the face of ice storms, heavy wet snow, and even salt. It is the most effect “screener” on my property.
Let me know if either of these might be a possibility for you. I'd suggest sugar-sap maples — but it usually takes them 30 years to amount to anything!
Vesna Zelena says
Поздравляю с Днем Победы! Parasol-shaped yukitsuri are used to shield trees from snow. Built in November and dismantled in March, a central pole is erected beside the trunk from which ropes are suspended and attached to branches, preventing them from sagging and breaking under the weight of snow. Hundreds of ropes may be used on a single tree, so it’s no job for an amateur.