Hydrangea tree damaged over winter - Ask Extension
When we returned in May we found our beautiful hydrangea tree severely broken from the major trunk in two places. We cut those two broken branches off...
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Hydrangea tree damaged over winter #936397
Asked June 22, 2026, 3:20 PM EDT
When we returned in May we found our beautiful hydrangea tree severely broken from the major trunk in two places. We cut those two broken branches off and hoped for the best. Picture two shows what the tree looks like now. One of these lower branches is very heavy and we are concerned it will split from the main trunk. Should we cut this in segments and only the heaviest middle branches or just cut the whole thing off ? It would leave only branches sticking straight up. I should add this heavy (under the canopy branch) has buds like it might bloom and we have lots of bees flocking to it. What should we do ? leave it and hope for the best until fall when it’s dormat ? We leave for warmer climate in November and return Mid May too late probably for trimming in May? Should we cut the heavier branch in segments over time or the off shoots from it to lighten the load? Can we do that now or wait?
Lake CountyMichigan
Expert Response
Hello there!
You can prune this branch away now, totally or partially, if that's how you want to shape the crown. You would, of course, sacrifice the bloom that has formed on the new growth. You can also take a wait-and-see approach, enjoy the bloom this summer and prune the branch away in November, as late as you can manage, in anticipation of potential winter breakage. Ideally, paniculata hydrangeas are pruned in late winter/early spring, before they put out new growth, but that's not a possibility for you snowbirds.
Ultimately, it's a judgement call: you are trying to forestall a potential problem without knowing if it'll ever materialize. Of course, if the branch breaks off, prune it away as soon as it does.
