When a heavy snow falls, its weight can bend down the branches or even the trunks of evergreens in a way that looks alarming. Never fear. These shrubs and trees are built to take it, says Doris ...

Let trees heal themselves. Evergreens, such as boxwood, arborvitae, false cypress, yews and junipers, took a beating from the heavy snow and ice.

Do that before fresh, soft snow has a chance to compact and adhere to the branches. If branches on a deciduous tree or evergreen are broken and ragged, prune them back.

Most trees and shrubs will recover from such trauma, but there are steps you can take to mitigate the damage.

Zeleznik points out that trees that hold their leaves into winter have been most affected, and ironwood and Ponderosa pines in his own yard are still bent from the extra weight of ice and snow ...

In spring, when deciduous trees are still waiting for their leaves to open, evergreen trees are making food and new wood. If broad-leaf trees kept their leaves all year, snow would seriously ...