After a heavy snowfall remove snow off the tender branches from trees and shrubs, to prevent the branches from bending and possibly breaking. Especially watch for cedars and flowering shrubs such as potentilla, and spirea and any trees or shrubs that were newly planted this year. This is one of the reasons why Cedar trees are wrapped with string, netting, or burlap; to prevent the snow from bending and breaking branches. If a branch is broken beyond repair prune it off at the broken area to clean up any ragged edges giving it a clean cut, as this will help prevent pests and diseases from winterizing in the broken area. No other pruning should be done.
When clearing snow off of walkways, driveways etc be careful where you are placing the snow. Don't pile it on the flowering shrubs that easily break. Instead place it in areas that may not get as much snow, such as under large evergreen trees or under overhangs. Only use snow that does not have a lot of grit or ice melters in it as this can be harmful to plants. Do not use the snow that was plowed off the highways and roads. Snow provides good winter protection against the elements, for trees, shrubs perennials and bulbs. This helps get rid of the snow as well as protects the areas that need it, and then in the spring when the snow melts it will add extra moisture to the soil.
Ice is another part of winter. Use caution when removing unwanted ice from walkways and driveways as many of the ice melters contain high amounts of salt and other chemicals which is harmful to plants and lawns. An alternative to using salt or ice removers is using a fertilizer high in nitrogen such as 46-0-0. The nitrogen will melt the ice and in the spring it will green up the lawn. Do not use high amounts of 46-0-0 as too much fertilizer over the winter can also be harmful. If there was a high concentration of fertilizer used over the winter, then in the spring soak the area with water to leach it out. If you don't want to melt the ice but just make it less slippery, sprinkle some coarse sand or lava rock over the ice, and then in the spring the sand or lava rock can be swept up and re-used again.
Over the winter months try to stay off the lawn, and areas where trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs are planted. By walking on these areas, you allow the frost to penetrate more easily into the soil, which can damage or kill the grass or other plants roots. At the house we have a dog that follows the same path over the lawn every winter and it takes all spring and summer for the grass to grow back in. Try to stay on the pathways and driveways. To help find the pathways after a snowfall, mark them with tall stakes or reflectors. If you are wanting to make an ice rink, place it over the vegetable garden where nothing is growing and so no harm will be done.
