Trees can be damaged by winter weather. This is especially true of coniferous trees because the needles remain on the trees all winter. If you have a shrub in your garden and live in a cold climate, you've probably noticed that it sometimes suffers from winter damage. Read on for information on winter infestation of shrub shrubs.
Winter Damage to Arborvitae
Winter injury on arborvitae shrubs is not uncommon. Winter drought, or desiccation, is a major cause of winter damage to shrubs. Arborvitae wither when the needles lose water faster than they can hold it. Arborvitae needles also create moisture in the winter and draw water from the ground to replace lost moisture. When the soil under the root system freezes, it cuts off the water supply.
Why are My Arborvitae Turning Brown?
arborvitae drought can cause winter burn. It is safe if you bury the plants under the snow. But the unprotected needles will suffer from winter burn, turning them brown, golden, or even white, especially on the south, southwest, and windward sides of the plant. However, the actual color can be caused by many factors other than drying and can be quite dramatic. These include:
- fast winds
- sunshine
- Severe deep frost
- cold bite
- Salt is used in sidewalks and roads
If winter burn is severe, the entire tree may turn brown and die. You may notice symptoms once the damage has occurred, but burn damage often looks worse later, as temperatures warm in early spring. It is best not to make a hasty decision about whether or not you can save the tree. Just wait for spring and you can easily tell if the tree is alive.
Arborvitae Winter Care
You can prevent drying out by keeping the soil well watered throughout the growing season, well into fall. Water the shrub more often on warm winter days. Arborvitae winter care also includes a thick layer of mulch to protect the roots.
In addition to mulch, if the winters are particularly severe, you may need to wrap the evergreens in burlap or other material for winter protection. If you do, don't wrap too tightly or cover the plants completely. Make sure to give the trees room to breathe and to expose them to natural light.
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