As long as water is applied continuously, the plant remains above its freezing point. A stationary or rotary sprinkler will give satisfactory results. This technique can lead to limbs breaking from the weight of the ice. Wrapping trunks with burlap can prevent bark splitting. These compounds degrade rapidly and are of little value to home owners unless repeat applications are made throughout the winter months.
Antibiotics kill bacteria on plants which results in ice forming less readily.
Wait until midsummer before pruning because even plants that look dead may still be alive. The extent of winter damage can best be determined after new growth starts in the spring. At that time, prune all dead twigs or branches back to within one quarter of an inch above a live bud, or to the nearest live branch. If discoloration on narrow-leaved evergreen needles is not too severe, they may regain their green color or new foliage may be produced on the undamaged stem. Broad-leaved evergreens showing leaf damage will usually produce new leaves if branches and vegetative leaf buds have not been too severely injured.