The winter season can have a damaging effect on plants — especially when the Washington D.C. area experiences heavy snowfall. Allowing snow to sit on the branches of a tree is not only bad for the health of the tree, but can also be dangerous since the weight of the snow could potentially cause the branch to break off unexpectedly. To avoid the detrimental effects of both of these outcomes, it's important to have snow professionally removed from your trees throughout the winter season.

Attempting to do the whole job yourself can often lead to results that are even more dangerous than allowing the snow to sit for an extended period of time. Many homeowners make the mistake of trying to shake the snow from the branches, which ends up breaking more branches than it saves. Instead of this method, homeowners can practice regular maintenance throughout the winter by gently sweeping freshly fallen snow from the branches with a soft broom. Use gentle upward strokes when sweeping to more effectively loosen snow that may be frozen to the branch.

Never attempt to sweep snow off of branches that you can't reach from the ground. Using a ladder or stool without proper training and experience can be incredibly dangerous, especially with the high likelihood of a branch breaking suddenly and throwing you off balance. For higher branches, always call a professional to ensure the right tools and skills are used for proper snow removal.

Workers from any Washington D.C. tree service can remove snow and ice more effectively by using advanced methods, such as lightly spraying the branch with warm water from a hose connected to the hot water faucet. This process gradually melts the snow instead of abruptly shaking it off, which drastically reduces the risk of the branch breaking.

Evergreen trees (also known as fir trees) usually require professional snow removal more than any other tree. This is because the leaves of evergreen trees act as a nest to fallen snow, but their branches are usually more vulnerable to the weight of several layers of snow. Evergreen is one of a few tree species that remains full of leaves during the winter season, which makes it especially susceptible to snow buildup. Since most trees lose their leaves during autumn, snow build-up doesn't usually get out of control with bare trees.

If you notice snow buildup on trees in your area, don't hesitate to call a professional to have it removed as soon as possible. With more than 820 tree service companies in the area, Angie’s List can help to ensure you make the best hiring decision possible. Although you can take some measures to reduce snow buildup on your own, always let a professional finish the more difficult aspects of the job to ensure effective removal and proper safety.