How to Repair Shrubs After Summer Storm Damage
Summer storms can bring much-needed rain, but strong winds, heavy downpours, and falling branches can leave shrubs looking battered overnight. Broken limbs, leaning plants, torn foliage, and waterlogged soil are common problems after severe weather.
The good news is that many shrubs can recover with a little cleanup and proper care. Before removing a damaged plant, take time to inspect it carefully. A shrub that looks rough immediately after a storm may still bounce back and produce healthy new growth.
Inspect Shrubs Before You Start Pruning
Once the weather has cleared and the area is safe, walk through your landscape and check each shrub for damage. Look for:
- Broken or hanging branches
- Split stems
- Branches rubbing against one another
- Shrubs leaning to one side
- Exposed roots
- Standing water around the base of the plant
- Torn leaves or flattened blooms
Wear gloves and safety glasses while cleaning up storm-damaged shrubs. Use sharp bypass pruners for small branches and loppers for thicker stems. A pruning saw may be needed for larger branches.
Remove Broken and Hanging Branches
Broken branches should be removed as soon as possible. Jagged or partially attached limbs can create a place for insects and diseases to enter the plant.
Make a clean cut just above a healthy bud, branch junction, or main stem. Avoid leaving long stubs behind. Clean cuts heal more effectively and help the shrub direct energy into healthy growth.
Do not remove every branch simply because the foliage looks messy. Leaves with minor tears can still produce energy for the plant. Focus on removing branches that are broken, split, or clearly dead.
Repair Split Stems Carefully
A small split in a flexible stem may occasionally be supported with soft plant tape or a loose plant tie. However, severely split stems are usually best removed with a clean pruning cut.
Avoid using wire directly against the bark. Wire can cut into the stem as the plant grows and cause additional damage. Soft ties are a safer choice when temporary support is needed.
Straighten Leaning Shrubs
High winds and saturated soil can cause newly planted shrubs to lean or partially lift out of the ground. Gently return the plant to an upright position and press the surrounding soil back into place.
A temporary stake may help support the shrub while the roots become established again. Use a soft tie and leave enough room for the stem to move slightly. Remove the stake once the plant is stable.
For larger shrubs with severely exposed roots, replanting may be necessary. Water thoroughly after repositioning the shrub to help remove air pockets around the roots.
Check for Drainage Problems
Heavy rain can leave shrubs sitting in soggy soil. Too much water around the root system can lead to root rot, yellow leaves, and declining growth.
If water remains around the shrub for more than a day or two, check the drainage in the area. Avoid adding more water until the soil begins to dry. You may also need to improve drainage, redirect runoff, or lightly pull mulch away from the base of the plant.
Mulch is helpful, but it should not be piled against the trunk or stems. Keep a small gap around the base of each shrub.
Avoid Heavy Fertilizing After a Storm
It may be tempting to fertilize damaged shrubs right away, but fertilizer will not repair broken branches. Too much fertilizer can place additional stress on an already weakened plant.
Allow the shrub time to recover first. Focus on proper watering, clean pruning cuts, and good drainage. Once the plant begins producing healthy new growth, a slow-release fertilizer may be appropriate if the shrub normally needs feeding.
Be Patient With Damaged Shrubs
Some shrubs will look worse before they look better. Hydrangeas, butterfly bushes, weigelas, rose of Sharon, and many other flowering shrubs can recover from moderate storm damage when their root systems remain healthy.
Remove damaged branches, keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy, and monitor the plant over the next several weeks. New leaves and fresh growth are good signs that the shrub is recovering.
When Should You Replace a Shrub?
A shrub may need to be replaced if the main trunk is badly split, most of the branches are destroyed, or the root system has been severely lifted from the soil. You should also watch for signs of decline, such as spreading dieback, soft black stems, or a lack of new growth during the growing season.
When in doubt, give the shrub a little time. Plants are often tougher than they look, and a careful cleanup may be all they need to recover.
Final Thoughts
Summer storms can make a landscape look rough, but quick action can help prevent additional damage. Start by removing broken branches, supporting leaning plants, checking drainage, and avoiding unnecessary fertilizer.
With proper care and a little patience, many storm-damaged shrubs will recover and return to their healthy, blooming selves.