Protecting Evergreens During the Winter
Protecting newly planted evergreens during winter months is key to their survival. Winter can be very harsh for young evergreen trees [and shrubs]. Cold weather and drying winds will dehydrate the plants. Since evergreens – both needle and broadleaf – maintain live foliage throughout the winter, the foliage continues to lose moisture even when frozen. If water loss is too great, the needles – or leaves – will turn brown and die off.
You can prevent damage to your evergreens by making sure the plant has plenty of soil moisture before the ground freezes. Another way to avoid dehydration is to make a screen that will block the wind. Use sturdy stakes that are a couple of feet longer than the plant’s height. Place the stakes in the ground before the ground begins to freeze. You may use burlap, cheesecloth, polyester, or snow fencing to create a barrier. Secure the barrier to the stakes using zip ties, available at any hardware store. The barrier should be used to reduce the flow of wind, through and around the evergreen, but it should not stop the wind entirely. No plants should be wrapped entirely with protective material. It is very important to make sure light reaches all of the plant, so be sure not to situate the screen so it touches the evergreen. If it does, you’ll end up with a partially dead evergreen plant come spring!
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William Quinn and Sons, Inc.
3860 W. 127th St.
Alsip, IL 60803
Phone: 708-389-8119
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