It’s not unusual for some trees, shrubs, and perennials in the Mid-Atlantic region to look badly damaged, sick, or even dead after the cold winter months. Just because the leaves are brown, droopy, or sickly-looking does not necessarily mean the plant is dead. In some cases, these ugly brown leaves will fall off and sprout new ones. Often, new growth and leaves may develop just beyond the point where the old leaves have fallen off.
DON’T be in a big hurry to start pruning! I urge you to wait until spring after plants begin their new growth. In mid-April (or even May), you can get a much better idea of how much winter damage a plant has suffered, and you can determine if it needs pruning.
I can’t tell you the number of well-established plants that homeowners have dug up and discarded, thinking they were dead. Remember- haste makes waste!
Is The Plant Dead or Alive
You can determine if a plant is dead or alive by scratching the bark with your fingernail or with a knife. The growth layer just below the bark will be green if the plant is living. If it’s brown, the plant is dying. Use this to give you a guideline of whether there is a need to prune. If only a portion of the plant is dying, you might be able to salvage it by pruning off the dead section.
Root Damage
In some cases, plants look just fine, but all of a sudden, they’ll begin to turn brown or a silvery-green color as the weather starts to warm up. This indicates that the root system was frozen or damaged during the cold winter months, and more than likely, that plant will die.
Grasses and Perennials
Keep in mind that many ornamental grasses and perennials die back to the ground each year, so go ahead and cut them off an inch or two above the ground, as you would in a typical year. New growth will flush as it begins to warm up, so don’t be overly worried if the visible parts of your perennials still look dead.
How To Prune Winter Damage
Once you’ve waited until spring and plants have started their new growth, you can begin evaluating the winter damage and determine if pruning is needed.
- Assess the Damage: Start by carefully inspecting the plant to determine which parts are dead and which are alive. Use the scratch test to check for living tissue. Once determined, dead tissue should be removed.
- Remove Dead or Damaged Growth: Begin by cutting back any dead or damaged wood. For shrubs and trees, cut back to just above a bud or healthy growth point. This encourages the plant to send out fresh shoots. For perennials, trim back dead stems just above the ground level.
- Check for New Growth: As spring progresses, continue to monitor for new growth. Once the plant has fully awakened, it will be easier to identify any areas that require additional pruning. If you find dead branches that were missed in the initial pruning, you can prune those at this time.
- Avoid Over-Pruning: It can be tempting to prune aggressively after a harsh winter, but remember that plants need to retain as much healthy tissue as possible to bounce back. Avoid cutting too much, as this can stress the plant and reduce its ability to recover fully.
Need Help Reviving Winter-Damaged Plants? Visit Us Today!
Taking care of winter-damaged plants requires patience and attention to detail, but with the right steps, you can help them recover and thrive in the coming season. If you’re unsure about the health of your plants or need help finding the right tools for pruning, visit us at any of our garden centers. Our knowledgeable staff is always ready to assist you with expert advice and high-quality plants, tools, and supplies to get your garden back in shape.