Preventing Winter Burn in Evergreen Trees and Shrubs

Winter Burn occurs when an evergreen tree does not have as much water as it needs.  The damage usually shows up when spring growth starts.  It can range from a few dry needles or brown leaf edges to the entire tree turns reddish brown and dies.  Here are some ways to prevent winter burn.

No Dormancy

Evergreens never go totally dormant, even in really cold areas.  There are always a few stomates, or pores, open.  Water evaporates from these pores.  This creates a vacuum that pulls water up from the roots.  If the roots can’t draw up enough water to replace the moisture coming out, winter burn occurs.

Root Damage

Trees with root damage are more susceptible to winter burn because there are not as many roots to bring water into the tree.  Construction, excessive moisture due to watering the lawn around a tree, and herbicide damage can all damage the roots and cause winter burn.  This occurs even if the soil is moist since the problem is with the roots, not drought.

Drought Stress

Drought adds stress to all plants.  If there has been a drought during the summer, trees enter the winter with drought stress.  This occurs even if the tree now has enough moisture.  Drought stress increases the odds of winter burn for that evergreen, like high blood pressure increases the odds of a heart attack in humans.

Frozen Water

When the soil freezes, the water in it freezes, too.  That means the roots can’t draw that water up into the plant.  Most plants have roots that go below the freeze line.  However, there has to be enough water in the soil for it to penetrate below the area where the soil freezes.  For the evergreens to stay healthy, it is essential that enough water soaks the soil below the freeze line to get the tree through the period of frozen soil.

Wind and Sun

As wind blows over the open stomates, it sucks water from them.  The water has to be replaced by the roots, or the needles or leaves are sucked dry and burn.  Winter burn is worse on the side of the tree that faces the wind.

Sunlight causes water loss through evaporation with the same result.  Evergreens next to buildings also get reflected sunlight.  If the sun is out and the day is warmer, reflected sunlight becomes more of a problem.  Not only does the sunlight directly cause water loss through evaporation, but it also warms the tree.  If the sunlight raises the temperature of the tree or shrub too much, the stomates will open automatically, increasing water loss.  Junipers planted near buildings are frequent victims of reflected sunlight in cold climates.

Prevention Is Key

Prevention is key with winter burn.  The damage doesn’t usually show up until the evergreen starts growing in the spring, so you can’t see if a tree is in trouble in the winter.  By spring, it is too late to help.  By then, the damage is irreversible, and you may lose the tree.

Anti-Dessicant Spray

Wilt-Pruf® is a product that you spray on evergreen trees and shrubs to hold moisture in the tree and prevent winter burn.  An ingredient in pine pitch forms a molecular film several molecules deep on the needle.  Wind and sunlight remove the layers, one molecule at a time, leaving the moisture in the needle or leaf where it belongs.

Spray Wilt-Pruf® before the first freeze of the year.  Be careful to get it on all the parts of the tree, even the inner needles or leaves.  Anything you miss may burn.  Wilt-Pruf® needs at least three hours of sunlight to cure and start working, so apply it in mid-morning on a sunny day.  The temperature has to be warm enough for the spray to set up before it freezes, or it won’t work.  You will need to reapply Wilt-Pruf® every three to four months, if your winter lasts that long.

Still Thirsty

Since evergreens are never totally dormant, they need to be watered all winter.  Anytime the temperature is above 40 degrees F, check the soil around your tree or shrub.  If it is dry, water the tree deeply so the water will go down below the freeze line, where the deep roots can reach it after the soil freezes again. 

A good way to water the tree is to set a hose under the dripline and turn the water on until it trickles out.  Just a trickle, you don’t want to flood the area, or the water won’t have time to soak in before it runs off.  Leave it for an hour to really soak the soil around the tree.  Move the hose to another part of the dripline and water another hour.  Repeat until all the soil under the dripline is soaked.  In the spring, you can revert to your normal watering schedule.

Mulch, Mulch, Mulch

In forests, leaf litter and other debris act as a natural layer of mulch.  Pine forests are mulched with pine needles several inches deep.  In our managed landscapes, leaves and needles are usually removed soon after they fall.  To compensate, we apply mulch around the trees.

 Mulching around an evergreen tree or shrub is essential to prevent winter burn.  Apply three inches of hardwood mulch in a donut starting from the edge of the dripline and heading to the trunk.  Stop mulching three inches before the trunk, leaving a donut shaped layer of mulch around the tree. 

Mulch soaks up moisture and releases it gradually so the soil around the tree stays evenly moist longer.  Mulch also helps stabilize soil temperature.  If you live where there is a big temperature difference between nighttime temperatures and daytime temperatures, mulch will help smooth out the soil temperature swings.  By keeping the soil moisture level consistently moist, mulch helps prevent winter heaving, especially in heavy soils.

Need An Evergreen Tree or Shrub?

We have a wide range of evergreen shrubs and trees at TN Nursery.  They range from large evergreens like cedar trees to smaller shrubs like green velvet boxwoods.  Give us a call at 931.692.7325 and we will help you find the evergreen tree or shrub you need to complete your landscape.

Pine Trees

Pine Trees

Pine trees are evergreen conifers characterized by needle-like leaves, conical or irregular shapes, and cone production. They are found in various species and are widely distributed across the world's forests. Pine trees, or Pinus, are a family of conifers that includes at least 121 species. They're typically located in the Northern Hemisphere and can be as small as 10 feet or as large as 268 feet. Pine Trees Bark and Cones For the most part, they have a scaly, thick bark. The branches are highly tight spirals, which are often referred to as 'pseudo whorls.' These whorls typically grow one set of branches per year. The cones, meanwhile, provide the plant with a source of reproduction. Both genders appear on each of these evergreens, offering a unique appearance. Cone hunters often collect the cones, which have been displayed in any number of baskets over the years. The needles of these conifers can be sharp, but they're yet another thing that offers a visual feast for wildlife lovers. Interestingly, more mature ones do not typically have any needles. Instead, they only stick around for up to 40 years. While they're still there, though, they feed butterflies and moths. The seed leaves come in a whorl of four to 24. Not only do these help distribute additional evergreens, but they also offer a food source to squirrels and a wide array of birds. Height and Life Expectancy of Pine Trees Although the extreme height range is listed above, most can grow to approximately 50-150 feet tall. Even more impressive, though, is their expected lifespan. Most will live anywhere from 100 to 1,000 years. However, the oldest known ones are around 4,800 years old! In other words, anytime you plant one of these evergreens, it'll likely be around for many subsequent generations. Pine Trees Are Perfect for Christmas Everyone who envisions their ideal Christmas tree immediately thinks of them. These evergreen types have just the right mixture of greenery and heavy-bearing limbs to make them suitable for holding all your Christmas decorations. Of course, you probably won't want to cut down these beautiful conifers, but you can still decorate them in your yard! If you're looking for something beautiful, durable, and extremely hardy, you should definitely consider planting Pine Trees!

Cedar Tree - TN Nursery

Cedar Tree

Cedar Trees are known for their aromatic wood, needle-like leaves, and distinctive conical shape. They are often used for lumber and ornamental landscaping. Cedar trees are widely used in landscaping for their aesthetic appeal and numerous practical benefits. These majestic trees are native to various regions, including Eastern North America and Canada. When incorporated into landscaping projects, they can transform the environment, enhance property value, and offer many advantages. It is primarily ornamental and is a member of the conifer family. Of course, this item can offer several benefits to the natural landscape, making it a good investment both now and for future generations. Cedar Trees are Evergreen Conifers They typically grow between 100 and 130 feet tall, but in some cases, they can grow as tall as 200 feet. Its diameter is about 10 feet, making it much thinner than the oak or maple. Instead of leaves, they grow pine needles in addition to cones that yield fruit with seeds in females. In male types, the cones will produce pollen. There is also a sticky resin inside of them that helps protect them against predators. The Cedar Tree Can Last for Centuries Assuming favorable conditions, Cedar Trees typically live for about 100 years. However, they can live for up to 300 years and stay in your family for generations. In addition, they are easy to propagate, meaning you can get great value for your money both now and for the rest of your life. One of their most significant benefits is a fragrant aroma you'll notice when you walk outside. Depending on how close to your product's house is planted, it may be possible to smell the familiar pine scent just by opening your window. Therefore, growing just a few in your yard can help improve indoor air quality inside and outside your home. Preserve or Reclaim the Natural Landscape Using Cedar Tree This type of Cedar Tree tends to prevent soil erosion or at least stabilize the soil impacted by its root system. It can also attract squirrels, birds, and other creatures, which will help rejuvenate the local landscape further. Ultimately, this can help protect the viability of your property while possibly increasing its value as the landscape heals.

Green Velvet Boxwood - TN Nursery

Green Velvet Boxwood

Green Velvet Boxwood is a compact, evergreen shrub with vibrant, dark leaves and a mounded growth habit, making it an ideal choice for low hedges and formal landscaping. It is a highly advantageous and popular evergreen shrub that offers numerous benefits in landscaping projects. This shrub variety is admired for its compact, rounded growth habit and lush, deep foliage. One of the primary benefits of incorporating it into landscaping is its versatility in design. Green Velvet Boxwood is an excellent choice if you are trying to create a beautiful landscape design. Known for its dense foliage, this shrub is ideal for pruning into almost any shape. This bush will look its best throughout the year thanks to its evergreen nature. Discover the Natural Beauty Of Green Velvet Boxwood If you are looking for a low hedge, this is one of the best shrubs. This full-bodied hedge is quite dense and can be used as a fence. It is considered an evergreen, so you can enjoy your garden's color year-round. Whether you are passionate about English landscaping or want a formal design, this verdant bush is ideal for pruning. If you don’t prune it, this bush will grow into a rounded shape. Once pruned, you can use it to make just about any shape you want for a unique, living sculpture. Green Velvet Boxwood Is An Evergreen This verdant shrub has a velvety appearance that leaves a vivid impression on the viewer. Thanks to its evergreen color, you can enjoy rich light and dark shades. Old growth has a darker shade, and the newer growth has lighter colors. This adds a fun texture and extra dimension for the viewer. Green Velvet Boxwood Naturally Grows Round This is one of the best shrubs to make. It grows in a natural sphere, so you can always let it grow into its natural shape. You can group multiple shrubs to make a fence, maze, or sculpture. Best of all, this lovely shrub is easy to care for and survives in many types of environments. While its glossy leaves are present throughout the year, it flowers only during the springtime. When flowering occurs, you can enjoy having fragrant white blossoms. Green Velvet Boxwood is an excellent choice whether you want an elegant fence or round bushes for a border. With its verdant leaves and fragrant blossoms, it is a favorite of homeowners. Once you plant this shrub, you can enjoy its beauty throughout the year.

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