Winter burn to plants can occur in winter when water is lost from the needles to the air. On a nice summer day, this water loss is replaced from the soil, but in winter with frozen grounds, this isn’t possible. We see evergreens with needles turning brown on the margins, or in more serious cases entire needles dying. Because evergreens don’t just readily produce new needles quickly, this damage can disfigure, or even kill these plants. This can be more extreme for plants more exposed to winds, those near roads (as there is also water loss from road salt), as well as those close to the home (the house itself gives off heat, and on the sides of the plant closest to the house, this winter burn effect is more extreme).
Additionally, it is not always the extreme cold years that do this. The winter of 2021/2022 we saw a lot of ornamental trees and shrubs die from the abnormally warm temperatures and lack of soil moisture due to very little snow/rainfall.
Additionally, it is not always the extreme cold years that do this. The winter of 2021/2022 we saw a lot of ornamental trees and shrubs die from the abnormally warm temperatures and lack of soil moisture due to very little snow/rainfall.
What can you do?
First, watering “sensitive” trees on warm (40 degree plus) days can help. If the hose is shut off, a 5 gallon bucket of water or two at the base can help. Trees/shrubs at the highest risk include dwarf Alberta spruce, arborvitae, junipers, boxwoods, young redbuds and Japanese maples.
HOW WE CAN HELP
We offer anti-transpirant, or, “wilt proof” sprays. Applied once or twice a season, these sprays coat the evergreens in a waxy material that locks in moisture. In some cases, these sprays can mean the difference between happy healthy lush evergreens, and replacing a whole row of arborvitae.
