BATON ROUGE — Recent unprecedented snowfall and hard freezes in Louisiana have exposed plants and vegetation to extreme conditions rarely seen in the Deep South. But how will the bitter cold temperatures and snow accumulation affect trees that have already endured droughts in recent years?
Dr. Hallie Dozier, an associate professor in the School of Renewable Natural Resources at LSU, explained that the droughts of 2023 and 2024 likely caused a significant amount of “deadwood” in trees. This deadwood could potentially fall during rainy or snowy conditions.
“I don’t think that you’re going to see anything that is alive and healthy fail because of the weight of the snow,” Dozier said. “It’s not a super heavy snow.” She noted that the snow was light and fluffy, making it less burdensome than the ice from the 2021 winter storm.
Since the snow ended on Tuesday, Dozier observed that many trees have already shed the snow from their branches and leaves thanks to some steady wind. However, she cautioned that risks could increase if the snow melts and refreezes overnight.
“The things that could take down a tree at this time of year would have to be very saturated soils, probably poor root structure and high wind. I didn’t see any of that, so I wouldn’t be too concerned,” Dozier explained.
Smaller branches and limbs, especially those with lingering snow, are more likely to fall.
Dozier emphasized the importance of staying observant and exercising caution. “Take caution walking under trees if they’re outside and out and about in the next couple of days.”
She also encouraged people to avoid walking near tree roots while ice and snow are still on the ground to prevent slipping and falling.
If branches don’t fall immediately, some may bend under the weight of snow or ice and die later. However, most trees in the area haven’t appeared heavily burdened, Dozier noted.
Additionally, the region didn’t experience cold temperatures long enough to cause “freeze cracking.” Freeze cracking occurs when moisture inside a tree freezes, expands, and causes vertical cracks in the trunk—a phenomenon more common in colder northern climates.
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