Now that we've had a few ice storms, the trees look beautiful covered with a coat of ice, sparkling in the sun. This makes the most asked question I hear "What should I do? My trees are bending down from the ice." And, as usual, there are several answers.
First and foremost, do not remove the ice. You can easily make things worse. Particularly in evergreens, the needles and branches are frozen. Bending icy branches often breaks the fragile cell walls within the plant and results in moisture loss, browning and sometimes tissue loss.
If the limbs are on or near power lines, contact your local power company to resolve the situation safely.
The most threatened trees will be softwoods and trees with tight crotches (the point where the main trunk branches). This includes willow, softwood maple and elm. Brittle trees such as some ornamental pear trees and ash trees are also at a heightened risk of damage. Oaks and hardwood maple are more resistant to damage. Evergreens are most resistant to damage but may need remedial cabling or other work to lift damaged branches.
If the limbs are on a deciduous tree (one that loses its leaves) and they break, or threaten structures or safety, the broken or threatening limbs should be removed. Call a certified arborist and have the limbs removed. Homeowners can remove smaller broken limbs with a pruning saw. However, do not prune unless absolutely necessary in late winter as the trees prepare to break dormancy and the sap rises.
If you are cutting damaged branches, locate the area that swells from the trunk and surrounds the branches. This is called the collar. Cut the branch no more than a half-inch from the collar. Do not damage the collar. This will allow the tree to form its own natural wound covering. Do not apply any wound treatment or oil, as this will inhibit natural healing. If you are sawing the branch, make a shallow undercut on the branch to prevent splitting or tearing as you make the main cut.
Often, the frozen trees and shrubs return to normal after the ice melts or later, by early spring. Assess the remaining damage in the spring and, again, contact a certified arborist if restoration work is needed, particularly on large trees.
A BASKET OF GREEN
Ivy is one of the easiest houseplants. Some varieties are hardy enough to survive outside such as the English ivy found on old buildings and spreading across shady hillsides. Outside, ivy is often considered an invasive and unwelcome plant, particularly by any gardener who has sought to remove a mature patch from the garden.
Indoors, ivy offers year-round greenery, often touched with white, cream or gold. Leaf shape, texture, size and color make the choices immense. One interesting way to enjoy this versatile plant is to grow it in a wire container.
Select a simple wire basket. I used a chicken-shaped egg basket.
Line the basket with moss. Use sheet moss or just a layer of dry sphagnum moss to coat the entire inside of the basket.
Fill the basket with well-draining potting soil.
Make a small hole in the potting soil and plant a small ivy plant in the top of the basket.
As the ivy grows, either allow the plant to trail or use pins or wires to attach the vine to the outside of the basket. These pinned points will, eventually, root and form new plants.
Water the container by placing the entire basket in a tray or bucket of water and allow the soil and moss to soak for a few minutes. Display the finished planter on a tray or draining dish.
IN THE GARDEN
We can't do much outside now except enjoy the snow and the birds. On a recent walk, I saw a unique patterning beneath the crust of the snow. At first, I thought it was just a strange melting pattern. A closer examination revealed that it was the tunneling just below the snow as the voles scavenged through the grass beneath the snow.
Something finally ate the sugared cereal I scattered in the yard. Since there was no other damage, maybe the squirrels got hungry. If it had been the raccoons, the suet feeders would have been attacked and they are still intact.
Mark notes on catalogs as you browse. Compare size, variety and price for the best deals.
Keep rosemary trees in cool, bright areas with good air circulation. Mist daily.
Move amaryllis bulbs to a bright area with slightly warm temperatures when leaves begin to sprout. Keep well watered but do not allow plant to sit in water.
Avoid piling snow or ice on delicate plants. Keep salt melting products away from grass and beds.