Question: How can I tell, during the winter, if a shrub has frozen and needs to be removed?

Answer: You usually can’t tell. You need to leave them in place until early spring. If they fail to start growing, then you’ll know it’s time to make some changes. If you must prune earlier, however, look for brown and dry twigs, also bark that has peeled away from the trunk, both indicators that the plant may have frozen.