Quick answer: The best protection is done before the storm: have dead, weak and crowded branches pruned out so there is less to break. During a storm, gently brush light snow off small trees and shrubs with a broom, never shake a loaded limb, and stay out from under large branches. Afterward, have broken limbs removed promptly.
Denver’s worst tree damage comes from wet spring and fall snow, which has a high water content and lands on branches that are still in leaf. This guide covers what to do before, during and after. For cleanup, see storm damage tree cleanup in Denver.
What should you do before snow season?
- Remove deadwood. Dead branches are the first to come down.
- Thin crowded canopies. Fewer crossing branches means less surface for snow to load.
- Fix weak structure early. Young trees trained to one main leader hold up far better. The Colorado State Forest Service advises keeping one dominant leader and not cutting the tops off trees.
- Do not top. Topped trees regrow weak shoots that snap under snow. See why tree topping harms trees.
- Stay on a pruning cycle. See how often to trim trees in Denver.
What should you do during a snowstorm?
| Do | Do not |
|---|---|
| Brush light snow off small trees and shrubs with a broom, working upward | Shake branches or hit them |
| Work from the side, on firm footing | Stand under a large loaded limb |
| Leave ice to melt on its own | Try to knock ice off |
| Stay well back from any branch near wires | Touch a branch that is on a power line |
Branches under load are already close to breaking, so a sharp shake can finish the job. On large trees there is little you can safely do from the ground.
What should you do after the storm?
- Check for wires first. See who to call for a tree on a power line.
- Look for broken limbs still hanging in the canopy.
- Clear small branches from walks and the driveway.
- Have broken and hanging limbs removed with clean pruning cuts.
Bent branches often recover as the snow melts, so do not rush to cut them. Whether a damaged tree is worth keeping is covered in can a storm-damaged tree be saved? In Denver the cleanup is the owner’s job: see who is responsible for fallen branches.
Which trees need the most attention?
Fast-growing trees with weak wood break most. They are listed in which trees break most in Denver snowstorms? If you have one over the house or driveway, put it at the top of the pruning list.
Snow and tree damage FAQs
Should I knock snow off my trees?
Gently, and only on small trees and shrubs you can reach from the ground. Brush upward with a broom. Do not shake the branches, and do not try it on large trees or anywhere near power lines.
Why does spring snow break so many branches in Denver?
Spring snow is wet and heavy, and it often falls after trees have leafed out. The leaves catch far more snow than bare branches would, and the weight snaps limbs.
Will bent branches recover after snow?
Often, yes. Branches that are bent but not cracked usually spring back over days or weeks. Cracked, split or hanging branches will not, and should be pruned out.
