Comments on: Magnolia and Holly – Innocent Victims of Freak Snowstorm

By: Jan (Thanks For Today)

Jan (Thanks For Today) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:13:04 +0000

I know exactly how this feels, as I have holly trees that have snapped in half just like this…I am disgusted about it. I still can't get out to clean up the mess though as there is over 2 ft. of snow on the ground here in northern Virginia.

By: Gail G

Gail G — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:36:17 +0000

I have always been deligent about keeping snow and ice off my special trees and shrubs. I live in Maryland and these snow storms are just knocking the heck out of the plantings. I thought I would cry when I found two of my japanese maples have split. You can usually drill a pilot hole through the trunk and put a long bolt with washers on each end through it, while bringing each piece of the trunk closer. Then tape with the green tape landscapers use. You want to do this as soon as you see the split. The cambian layers can grow back together (sometimes). I have been successful with this, but in the summer months after a fierce thunderstorm. The problem with doing it in the winter, it that it is so cold the tree may just snap. Shrubs are resilient, but a Japanese maple and holly are slow growing. It takes a long, long time to get them to fill back in, when they lose a limb. And they lose their beautiful form, you worked so hard creating by regular pruning. Ice is the worst! And right now it is snowing AGAIN and we are going to get sleet. Good luck! Think SPRING!!!!!!!!!

By: 2 Green Acres

2 Green Acres — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:09:41 +0000

I feel your pain! We too lost some plants – some loved, others not, but still, it is a loss. I blogged about the damage in my own garden and also linked to a Washington Post article with tips on how to deal with the storm damage:
http://2greenacres.blogspot.com/2010/02/snowmegddon-garden-damage.html

By: Cathy

Cathy — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:49:26 +0000

I too, had the top three feet of my Little Gem Magnolia snap. I just wasn't quick enough to get the snow off of it. I've done some research around the internet to see if anyone else has experienced this type of snow damage to their magnolia and could describe how it grew back. Any ideas? Mine is the focal point of my front yard, so I am pretty devestated and feel your pain.

By: Layanee

Layanee — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:29:27 +0000

Snow can be so beautiful and destructive. The arborists in your town will be very busy in the weeks to come. Hopefully, some creative pruning will get these plants back into shape.

By: Crystalj

Crystalj — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:19:49 +0000

I'm on the Virginia side of the Metro area, and WOW, we sure did take a pounding. I had my husband go out to knock off snow as it was still falling on Friday evening, because we have a gorgeous Japanese Maple near our front door that I couldn't bare to see ruined. It appears to be unscathed so far, but in the back of our property we've got Holly Shrubs and Pieris Japonicas all bent over too, and my fear is that they will snap like yours.
So sorry, especially about the Magnolia 'cause I love those trees.