Winter in Central Ohio brings more than just beautiful snow-covered scenery. The freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall, and ice can take a serious toll on your lawn, trees, and shrubs. Understanding how winter weather affects your landscape—and knowing what steps to take—can make all the difference when spring arrives.

Don't wait until damage occurs. Contact Gillam Lawncare & Landscaping LLC today at (937) 729-2842 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a winter landscape consultation.

What Winter Weather Does to Your Lawn

Your grass doesn't simply go dormant and wait peacefully for spring. Several factors during winter months can cause lasting damage to your turf.

Freeze-Thaw Cycles Stress Grass Roots

When temperatures rise above freezing during the day and drop below freezing at night, the soil expands and contracts. This movement can push grass roots upward, exposing them to cold air and drying winds. Once roots are lifted from the soil, they struggle to absorb moisture and nutrients.

Snow Mold Develops Under Cover

Heavy snow that sits on your lawn for extended periods creates the perfect environment for snow mold. This fungal disease appears as circular patches of matted, pinkish, or grayish grass when snow melts. While grass usually recovers, severe cases can kill turf and require reseeding.

Foot Traffic Causes Crown Damage

Walking on frozen or snow-covered grass breaks the blades and can damage the crown—the growing point of each grass plant. Damaged crowns may not recover, leaving brown patches or bare spots that need repair in spring. This is especially problematic on well-worn paths across your yard.

How Ice and Cold Affect Trees and Shrubs

Trees and shrubs face their own set of winter challenges. The weight of snow and ice, combined with frigid temperatures, can cause both visible and hidden damage.

Heavy Snow and Ice Break Branches

Accumulated snow and ice add significant weight to tree limbs and shrub branches. A cubic foot of ice weighs nearly 60 pounds—more than enough to snap branches or split trunks. Evergreens are particularly vulnerable because they hold more snow on their foliage than bare deciduous trees.

Winter Sunscald Damages Bark

On sunny winter days, bark on the south and west sides of trees warms up significantly. When the sun sets and temperatures plummet, the rapid temperature change can kill the living tissue beneath the bark. This creates sunken, discolored areas that may crack and allow disease or insects to enter.

Frost Cracks Split Tree Trunks

Extreme cold can cause the water inside tree trunks to freeze and expand. This expansion creates vertical cracks in the bark and wood. While trees may eventually heal smaller frost cracks, large splits can weaken the tree's structure permanently.

Salt Spray Harms Roadside Plants

Road salt and de-icing chemicals that vehicles splash onto nearby plants can cause browning, dieback, and even death. Salt draws moisture out of plant tissues and changes the soil chemistry, making it harder for roots to absorb water.

Protecting Your Lawn Through Winter

Taking a few preventive steps before and during winter can minimize damage to your turf.

Before the first freeze:

Apply a winterizer fertilizer to strengthen grass roots
Remove leaves and debris that can smother grass under snow
Mow your lawn one final time at a slightly lower height to prevent matting
Aerate compacted soil to improve drainage and reduce ice formation

During winter months:

Avoid walking on frozen or snow-covered grass whenever possible
Mark pathways to direct foot traffic away from lawn areas
Remove heavy, wet snow from grass if accumulation is extreme
Never pile shoveled snow onto planting beds or lawn edges

Following a regular lawn care maintenance schedule throughout the year also builds resilience against winter stress.

Protecting Trees and Shrubs from Winter Damage

Your woody plants need special attention to survive harsh winter conditions safely.

Preparation is key:

Water trees and shrubs deeply before the ground freezes—dry roots are more susceptible to winter injury
Apply 2 to 4 inches of mulch around the base to insulate roots and regulate soil temperature
Wrap young tree trunks with tree wrap or guards to prevent sunscald and animal damage
Install burlap screens around evergreens exposed to strong winds or road salt

During winter:

Gently brush light, fluffy snow off branches before it becomes heavy or freezes
Never shake branches or try to remove ice—you'll cause more damage than the ice itself
Prune broken branches as soon as possible to prevent further tearing
Wait until late winter or early spring to assess damage and prune accordingly

Post-winter care:

Remove tree wrap and burlap once temperatures consistently stay above freezing
Prune dead or damaged branches when you can clearly see the extent of injury
Apply a balanced fertilizer to help trees and shrubs recover
Continue regular watering if spring rainfall is insufficient

Professional landscape design and installation considers your plants' winter hardiness to reduce seasonal damage.

Special Considerations for Central Ohio

Springfield and the surrounding Central Ohio area experience variable winter weather. Some years bring mild temperatures with little snow, while others deliver harsh cold snaps and significant ice storms.

This unpredictability makes preparation even more important. You can't predict exactly what winter will bring, but you can make sure your landscape is ready for whatever arrives. Pay attention to weather forecasts and take action when ice storms or heavy snow are predicted.

Native plants and those well-suited to Ohio's climate generally handle winter stress better than marginally hardy species. When planning future residential landscaping projects, choose plants rated for USDA Hardiness Zone 6, which covers most of Central Ohio.

Signs of Winter Damage to Watch For

Not all winter damage is immediately obvious. As temperatures warm in late winter and early spring, watch for these warning signs:

Branches that don't develop buds or leaves
Discolored or sunken bark areas on tree trunks
Browning evergreen needles or leaves
Cracked or split tree trunks
Matted grass with unusual coloring when snow melts
Bare patches in your lawn where grass doesn't green up

Early detection allows you to address problems before they worsen. Some damage that looks severe may heal on its own, while seemingly minor issues could indicate serious problems. When in doubt, consult with a landscape professional who can accurately assess the situation.

Get Your Landscape Winter-Ready with Gillam Lawncare & Landscaping LLC

Protecting your lawn, trees, and shrubs from winter damage takes planning, knowledge, and timely action. Gillam Lawncare & Landscaping LLC helps Springfield and Central Ohio homeowners prepare their landscapes for winter weather and recover from any damage that occurs. Our team understands the specific challenges that Central Ohio winters present.

Reach out to us at (937) 729-2842 or through our online contact form to discuss how we can help protect your landscape investment this winter.

How Snow and Ice Impact Your Landscape—and How to Protect It