Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Protecting your Evergreens
As we head into the “Season of Shivers”, according to the Farmers Almanac for the winter of 21-22, protecting your evergreens is a subject we can get started on early!
Evergreen foliage is subject to winter burn. This happens when winter sun and wind trigger transpiration allowing water loss, also called desiccation.
First I want to remind you to water your evergreens up until the ground is frozen, that is into late November! With the ground frozen, water loss can’t be replaced. Although all evergreens are susceptible to winter burn the most affected are yews, arborvitae and hemlocks.
The best protection, although not pretty, is to wrap those trees vulnerable to winter sun and wind, in burlap. The tricky part is to not let the burlap TOUCH the needles if possible. Further study has shown that the burlap can wick moisture away from the leaves (needles) also, however, it’s still better than not wrapping them!
With shorter evergreens and newly planted, place 3 stakes (for a teepee) or 4 stakes around the plant, allowing a few inches of space between the evergreen and the stakes. Then wrap the burlap around the stakes and secure it over the top also. DON’T do this until we’ve had a good hard frost.
You’re not trying to keep these plants “warm”, you’re trying to keep them from losing all their moisture. Moisture keeps the plants warmer. Sounds weird but it’s true! This article from Gertens is helpful too!
Newly planted broadleaf evergreens such as azaleas and rhododendrons would also benefit from being wrapped in burlap. PS, anti-desiccation sprays are NOT effective.
And never use plastic to wrap around your trees/evergreens/shrubs!