Our 3-6 inches of snow Thursday certainly looks pretty on trees, but there are some concerns about how that snowfall could affect tree health.
The heavy, wet snow came as most area trees were in the process of turning colors, and while a lot of leaves have come down to ground level, most area trees still have a lot of leaves yet to shed. Since we haven’t had a snowfall like this in several years, Lyon County Extension horticulturist Travis Carmichael says homeowners have some legitimate concerns about how Thursday’s snow will affect the health of their trees.
Those kinds of concerns may take on a new level if power lines are nearby — and with windy conditions expected Friday and possibly Saturday, the potential for power outages does exist. However, Carmichael says the best approach is to let Mother Nature handle things, especially with high temperatures expected at or above 40 degrees for the weekend. He says using man-made measures like a stick or broom to clear the snow could create the same problems you’re trying to avoid — and get you hurt in the process.
If you have questions, call Carmichael at 341-3220.
Meanwhile, travel continues at a near-normal pace across much of the KVOE listening area following the snow. Driving conditions have been wet for the most part, and Lyon County crews have been out observing in case they need to spot-treat certain areas.
We’ll keep you updated on KVOE and KVOE.com.
