Why Are Evergreens More Prone to Winter Burn Than Other Trees?
- August Hoppe
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
If you've noticed browning needles on your evergreens as winter winds down, you're not alone. Winter burn is a common issue in Southeast Wisconsin landscapes - and evergreens are especially susceptible.
But why does this happen? In this article, we'll explore what causes winter burn and why evergreens are more prone to it than other trees.
Evergreens vs. Deciduous Trees: What's the Difference?
The biggest difference comes down to leaves.
Deciduous trees - like maples and oaks - drop their leaves in the fall. By shedding foliage, they significantly reduce water loss during winter dormancy.
Evergreens, on the other hand, keep their needles year-round. Trees like arborvitae, spruce, and pine continue to transpire (lose water) through their needles even in cold weather. While this process slows down in winter, it doesn't stop completely. That's where the problem begins.
Why Browning Happens
During winter, the ground is often frozen. When soil is frozen, tree roots can't effectively absorb water. If needles continue to lose moisture through transpiration but the roots can't replace it, the foliage begins to dry out.
The result? Brown, scorched-looking needles. Typically, on the windward side of the tree or side facing the sun. This condition is commonly referred to as winter burn.
How Weather Plays a Role
Several winter weather factors can make winter burn worse:
Cold, dry winds that pull moisture from needles
Bright winter sun, which increases transpiration
Heavy snow or ice, which can cause physical damage and stress
Fluctuating temperatures, especially late winter warm-ups followed by hard freezes
Late winter and early spring are often when symptoms become most visible. As the temperatures rise and trees begin to "wake up", the damage shows.
Why Evergreens Are More Susceptible
Because evergreens retain their needles year-round, they:
Continue to lose moisture in winter
Have a greater surface area exposed to wind and sun
Experience moisture stress when soil conditions limit water uptake
Deciduous trees simply don't face this same level of winter dehydration because they've already dropped their leaves.
What Hoppe Tree Service Can Do to Help
At Hoppe Tree Service, we focus on proactive treatments that help evergreens better withstand winter stress.
Our Plant Health Care recommendations may include:
Anti-Desiccant Applications: Applied in late fall, anti-desiccant sprays create a protective coating on needles that helps reduce moisture loss during winter. This barrier limits excessive transpiration caused by wind and sun exposure.
Fall Fertilization: A properly timed fall fertilizer application supports strong root development and overall tree vigor. Healthier root systems are better equipped to absorb and retain moisture before the ground freezes, giving evergreens a stronger foundation heading into winter.
Growth Regulator Treatments (Trimtect®): In some cases, we may recommend a growth regulator such as Trimtect. These treatments can help manage excessive top growth, allowing the tree to direct more energy toward root development and stress tolerance - improving overall resilience in harsh conditions.
Healthy, well-supported evergreens are far more capable of handling Wisconsin's unpredictable winters.
Our Plant Health Care (PHC) treatments are designed to:
Improve root health and overall vigor
Reduce environmental stress
Support moisture retention
Strengthen trees before winter arrives
Preventative care in the fall is one of the best ways to reduce winter burn risk. For trees already showing symptoms, our Certified Arborists can assess the severity of damage and recommend next steps - whether that's corrective pruning, soil treatments, or ongoing health support.
If you think your evergreens may be suffering from winter burn, call us at 414-257-2111 or request a quote from one of our Certified Arborists to go over your options.