How to Shovel Snow Without Harming Your Landscaping Trees

If you live in Indiana, or a region of the country where snow is likely come wintertime, then you may face a separate agenda for landscaping care then the rest of the nation. Snow fall can bring beautiful ambience and family fun; however, when it comes to your beloved landscaping and trees, snow can be a faint threat unless confronted properly.

It is important as a home or property owner to know how to take care of landscaping and trees. Your trees reduce outside noise, allow privacy, encourage wind flow for cool breezes in summer, and much more. Be sure to protect your investments and sustain an aesthetically pleasing outdoor ambience by learning about proper winter tree and landscaping care. 

Continue reading to learn, specifically, how to shovel snow without harming trees and landscaping on your property this winter.

Winter Tree Service in Fishers, Indiana
Winter Tree Service in Fishers, Indiana 317-537-9770

Snow and Ice Melting Products Can Be Harmful

When the snow comes down, we begin our wintertime rituals. This includes sprinkling our de-icing products, salting our driveways, and of course, shoveling snow. Unfortunately, some products on the market today may contain ingredients that are harmful to our trees and landscaping. Materials like rock salt and other de-icers can contain elements like sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and magnesium chloride; all of which can be harmful to vegetation if over applied.  Urea, a plant fertilizer is another strategy used to melt snow and ice; but it can also harm plants and trees if over applied.  Common damages are dead grass and plants, scald pots, burn marks, cracked bark, peeling tree bark, and many more.

Fortunately, there are alternatives to using harsh products with high salt amounts.  For example, many property owners are discovering that environmentally friendly options work well.   Materials like sand, sawdust, wood shavings, granite dust, and even cat litter are safe for pets and the environment.  They are also cheaper and can potentially save a person hundreds of dollars each year!

Methods of Proper Snow Shoveling That Will Prevent Tree Damage

When it comes to actually shoveling snow, it is important to take your time. Improper use of a shovel can damage plants, roots, and trees. It can be difficult determining where a plant lies, or tree roots begin beneath five inches of snow; but use these guidelines and tips next time you need to shovel your walkways, patios, porches, and driveway:

❆ Use a broom to gently sweep the first two layers of snow away from tree bases, plants, and garden perimeters. Sweep gently until base or perimeter is virtually exposed.

❆ Shovel slowly and in small amounts.

❆ In heavily covered areas away from trees and landscaping, use the shovel to push the snow rather than lift the snow.

❆ Use a plastic shovel near trees and foliage rather than aluminum or other metallic shovels.  Plastic is less harmful to trees and plants.

❆ Do not attempt to remove ice from tree limbs. It can cause branches to break off or become damaged.

❆ Wait until snow and ice are melting to clear covered tree limbs and plants.

Protect Yourself From Harm Too

Always protect yourself when shoveling snow near covered trees and landscaping. You can easily become injured if a large chunk of ice or snow falls on top of you.  Be sure to let a friend or loved one know you are shoveling snow near tall or heavily snow-covered trees before you leave. It is recommended to hire professional snow removal companies to assist you in difficult or dangerous snow removal jobs. For easier tasks, be sure to still protect yourself from falling ice, snow, and branches.

Where to Get Certified Tree Service in Fishers, Indiana

Call 317-537-9770 for professional and affordable Fishers tree service to keep your trees healthy all season long. We are licensed and insured tree care specialists with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. We provide residential and commercial tree services at the most competitive prices in Fishers. Request a free estimate or information about our tree service coupons, today!

Fishers Tree Service Coupons
Fishers Tree Service Coupons 317-537-9770

The Most Common Types of Winter Tree Damages

Wintertime is one of the most destructive seasons of the year considering how impactful snow, ice, and cold temperatures can be, not only to people, but also to our surrounding structures. One of the most vulnerable assets on our properties are our landscaping trees. They are highly susceptible to all sorts of winter damage. For this reason, it is important to protect your trees before the winter is officially in full affect.

Continue reading to learn the most common types of winter tree damages to be on the lookout for this season, as well as, how to protect your landscaping trees from such seasonal harm.

Winter Tree Service Company 317-537-9770
Fishers Tree Service Company 317-537-9770

Snow and Ice Damage

As mentioned, snow and ice are incredibly destructive, especially when it comes to trees and shrubs. Not only can the weight of the snow and ice jeopardize the structural integrity and strength of such flora, the mere amount of excess moisture can cause an extensive amount of damage to the entire tree, as well as the root system and surrounding soil.

In order to protect your trees and shrubs from snow and ice damage in the winter, it is important to mulch properly, stake your trees if they are young or vulnerable, and consider wrapping the trunk and burlap material to retain warmth through the entirety of the season. Then when spring comes, be sure to stay on top of your tree’s pruning needs. When trees are pruned properly, there is less risk of broken branches and limbs as a result of heavy snow and ice accumulation.

Heavy Wind Damage

in the winter, snow and ice are not the only climate changes that can affect your landscaping. Strong winds are another common seasonal occurrence. Not only can they cause branches and tree limbs to break off, heavy winds can topple trees over completely. This is incredibly dangerous if trees are near houses, cars, playgrounds, and other areas where there is lots of human traffic or assets. In order to protect your trees from heavy wind damage, you might want to consider cabling embracing trees that are very young or vulnerable. Vulnerable trees would be trees that are sick, dying, leaning, or otherwise structurally-compromised.

Tree Trunk and Root Damage

A tree’s trunk and root system is important because it grounds the tree and provides strength, stability, and nourishment. However, in the wintertime, inclement weather and cold temperatures can affect the quality of tree trunks and tree bark, and ultimately the underground root system. In order to protect your trees from trunk and root damage in the winter, it is important to ensure your trees are being properly fertilized, mulched, watered, and given plenty of sunlight. If you have questions about proper tree care in the springtime, see our blog, “What Should I Do For My Trees Right Before Spring?” to learn more.

Get Professional Tree Care in Fishers, Indiana

Call 317-537-9770 for professional Fishers tree service you can trust. We are highly trained and experienced tree care contractors that offer a wide range of residential and commercial tree services at competitive prices. We also offer tree service coupons and discounts! Request a free estimate for Fishers tree service, today.

Fishers Tree Service Coupons
Fishers Tree Service Coupons 317-537-9770

Top Ice-Resistant Tree Species That Will Survive the Winter

Winter is a beautiful time of year, when the snow falls and hills of white cover everything from the grass to the trees. If you appreciate winter scenery such as this, you will certainly benefit from planting ice-resistant trees on your property for a year-long, seasonal scenic view!

Continue reading to learn some of the top0recommended ice-resistant trees for suburban areas in Indiana hardiness zones.

Fishers Tree Service Company 317-537-9770
Fishers Tree Service Company 317-537-9770

Ice and snow can turn a regular, unassuming tree into a safety hazard. The weight of such accumulation can cause trees to lean, split, crack, or fall over, all of which can lead to severe property damages and serious injuries to people. If you live in a region where winters can bring about a large quantity of precipitation, like Indiana, it is wise to choose tree species for your landscaping that will stand up to these inclement seasonal conditions.

Most Common Winter-Resistant Tree Species:

    American Sweetgum
    Arborvitae
    Black Walnut
    Blue Beech
    Catalpa
    Eastern Hemlock
    Gingko
    Ironwood
    Kentucky Coffee Tree
    Littleleaf Linden
    Norway Maple
    Wilver Linden
    Swamp White Oak
    White Oak

Routine Tree Care

In addition to choosing quality winter-resistant trees for your landscaping, you will also need to have your existing trees professionally serviced to promote healthy growth and longevity. Trees that are damaged, diseased, or in decline, are already weakened, making them even more prone to winter damages. Be sure to have your trees inspected before winter to ensure they are in good condition for the impending climate changes.

Other trees that are more prone to winter weather damage are those that grow broad-leafs, such as the green ash, American elm, Siberian elm, hackberry, and honey locust. Furthermore, trees with imbalanced crowns are also vulnerable, such as

Who to Call For Fishers Tree Service

Call 317-537-9770 for professional fall tree service in Fishers, Indiana and its surrounding areas. We are highly trained and experienced tree care contractors who offer a wide range of residential and commercial tree services at competitive prices. We also offer tree service coupons and discounts! Request a free estimate, today.

Fishers Tree Service 317-537-9770
Fishers Tree Service 317-537-9770