Evergreen Tree Winter Protection Tips 2026

Why Evergreens Need Winter Protection

Evergreen trees and shrubs retain their foliage year-round, which means they continue to lose moisture through their needles and leaves even in winter. When the ground freezes, roots can't replace this lost moisture—leading to winter desiccation, browning, and sometimes death.

Common Winter Damage to Evergreens

Winter Burn (Desiccation)

The most common winter injury. Needles turn brown or reddish, starting on the south and southwest-facing sides. Caused by a combination of cold wind, sun exposure, and frozen soil preventing water uptake.

Sunscald

Bark damage from intense winter sun heating the south-facing trunk during the day, then rapid cooling at night. Common on young thin-barked trees like maples and fruit trees.

Snow and Ice Damage

Heavy snow and ice accumulation can break branches, especially on narrow evergreens like arborvitae and junipers. Multi-stem evergreens are particularly vulnerable.

Burlap Wrapping Technique

When to Use Burlap

Wrap evergreens that are newly planted (first 2-3 winters), located in exposed windy sites, or on the south/southwest side of structures where sun exposure is intense.

How to Wrap Properly

• Drive wooden stakes in a circle around the plant, 6-12 inches outside the branch tips
• Wrap burlap around the stakes (not directly on the branches)
• Overlap each layer by 6 inches as you work upward
• Secure with twine or staples—do not wrap tightly against the foliage
• Leave the top open for air circulation and light

Alternative: Anti-Desiccant Spray

Anti-desiccant products (Wilt-Pruf, Moisturin, etc.) create a waxy coating on needles that reduces water loss. Apply in late fall when temperatures are consistently above freezing (40-50°F). Reapply mid-winter if temperatures rise above freezing for several days.

Root Zone Protection

Apply 3-4 inches of organic mulch around the base of evergreen trees, extending to the drip line. This insulates roots and helps maintain soil moisture. Keep mulch 3-6 inches away from the trunk to prevent rot.

Watering Before Ground Freeze

Give all evergreens a deep watering in late fall before the ground freezes. This is called "winterization watering" and is the single most effective thing you can do to prevent winter damage. Apply 1 inch of water per week until the soil freezes.

Protecting From Road Salt

Evergreens near roads and driveways are vulnerable to salt spray and salt-laden runoff. Install burlap barriers on the traffic-facing side, and avoid piling snow containing de-icing salt around the root zone. Consider switching to calcium chloride or sand-based de-icers near landscape plantings.

The best winter protection is proper plant selection. Choose evergreen species rated for your USDA hardiness zone—and ideally one zone colder—for built-in winter hardiness.

Spring Assessment and Recovery

Remove burlap wraps in early spring (late February to March) before new growth begins. Don't prune winter-damaged branches immediately—wait until you see where new buds break. Many "dead-looking" evergreens recover from the base even after severe winter burn.