Chris, about the use of "snags," see if definition 1b helps you out here:
Definition of "snag" from the online Merriam-Webster
The N. is referring, I think, to the people all around in this difficult city as "the standing dead" who will, the N. hopes, be proved wrong by the still-living trees next year.
(And apologies if you were perfectly aware of that definition and I've misunderstood your post.)