We call them "evergreens" for a reason—the deal is that they stay green while everything else goes skeletal. So, when you look out the window in February and see your prized Arborvitae looking like a toasted marshmallow, it’s natural to panic.
Is it dead? Not necessarily. It’s likely a case of Winter Burn.
What Exactly Is "Winter Burn"?
Think of winter burn as a combination of extreme dehydration and a nasty sunburn. Even though it’s cold, evergreens are still "breathing" (transpiring) through their needles.
When the ground freezes solid, the roots can’t drink any water. Then, a bright winter sun or a harsh wind comes along and sucks the moisture right out of the needles. Since the "straw" (the roots) is stuck in a block of ice, the needles dry out, turn brown, and—in bad cases—become brittle enough to snap.
How to Save Your Trees (Before the Brown Sets In)
You don’t have to just sit there and watch it happen. Here’s how we help your trees "bundle up" for the Michigan winter:
- Anti-Desiccant Sprays: Think of this as Chapstick for your trees. We spray a thin, waxy coating over the needles. It breathes just enough to keep the tree healthy but locks moisture in so the wind can’t steal it.
- Burlap "Winter Coats": For younger trees or those planted in windy spots, a burlap wrap acts as a windbreak. It’s not about keeping them warm; it’s about keeping the freezing wind from sandblasting the foliage.
- The "Big Drink": One of the best things you can do is water your evergreens deeply in late autumn until the first hard frost. A hydrated tree is a resilient tree.
- Mulch Magic: A thick layer of wood chips around the base acts like an insulated blanket, keeping the ground from freezing quite as deep, quite as fast.
The Good News
If you’re seeing brown now, don't grab the chainsaw just yet! Often, the buds inside those branches are still alive and will push out fresh green growth once the ground thaws in the spring.
