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The problem A winter storm covers everything in a thick, clear layer of ice. Evergreens are bent double, and deciduous trees hang as though they're weeping.
What not to do The natural inclination is to free a tree from its frozen prison with a broom or shovel, but that's dangerous—not only to the tree but also to you. You could be injured by falling ice or branches, the tree could snap in two, or you could inadvertently hit power lines tangled in its limbs.
Do this instead If you must get out and do something, then remove the ice from your walkways and driveway. Break it up with a shovel or scatter a sodium-free deicing product containing calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) mixed with sand. Deicers don't completely melt ice; they liquefy enough of it to break the bond between the ice and the surface it clings to, making shoveling easier. CMA is made from dolomitic limestone and acetic acid (vinegar). It is less likely to damage plants or concrete than rock salt is.
Prevent it There's not much you can do in advance besides covering more fragile plants with burlap. Bind the branches of smaller arborvitae or junipers together with cloth strips or nylon stockings.
Keep in mind If you live in an area prone to ice storms, be aware that, due to their branch structure, elms, arborvitae, junipers, birches, and most fruit trees are vulnerable to ice damage. Look for weak-jointed branches on these trees and prune them out before they become a problem. Slow-growing trees such as oak and beech are less likely to lose branches. The younger the tree, the better it can survive an ice storm.
