It’s mid-April, and this morning I woke up to the second snowfall in the last three weeks. A thick layer of snow blanketed every branch, creating a stunning landscape. I never tire of seeing these wintry scenes as I hunker down inside feeling all lazy.
However, this is heavy snow, the kind that can snap branches. It’s also early spring and a number of plants have begun to bud or blossom so the potential for serious damage is high, as I can attest:
A freakish May snowfall killed my mother’s beloved white lilac bush when I was a kid. It was in full bloom when it met its demise. She would talk it about wistfully from time to time, even many years later. With her gone now too, my sister and I still mention it occasionally with the same sadness. Are we all crazy? No, we just loved that fragrant beauty, the grand dame of a group of lilacs that rimmed the house and the porch off the kitchen. We enjoyed a lot of alfresco meals surrounded by their perfume, which are some of my absolute favorite childhood memories.
All in a Day’s Work
So, while the snow was winding down I spent about an hour this morning knocking it off the lilacs and the more vulnerable-looking evergreens. Sadly, I discovered that a large lilac branch next to the little house had sheared off overnight. I’ll assess the damage to the bush later. On a happier note, the drooping yew branches in the photo below snapped upright as soon as I removed the dense snowcap. Sometimes it’s helpful to find a fallen tree limb since that turned out to be the perfect tool.
With icy crystals showering down on me and my ill-chosen gloves soon soaked, I kept at it as chunks of snow plopped onto the ground. Satisfying work and immediate results – not a bad way to start the day.
And, of course, it’s supposed to be about 60 degrees (16⁰ C) tomorrow. The snow is already starting to melt as I write this post around noontime.
Happy Spring, everyone!
Tree Report: Losing an Old Tree