October 27, 2025
Protecting Your Evergreens from Winter Desiccation
If your evergreens come out of winter looking brown, brittle, or scorched, you’re not alone. In recent years, Massachusetts gardeners have seen more winter damage on evergreens—especially broadleaf types like rhododendrons, hollies, and boxwoods. The culprit? Winter desiccation, a type of cold-weather dehydration that’s becoming more common as our winters grow windier and drier, with less insulating snow cover.
What Causes Winter Desiccation?
Evergreens hold onto their leaves or needles year-round, which means they continue to lose moisture through them even in winter. Normally, the roots can draw up water from the soil to replace it—but when the ground is frozen, that’s impossible. The result is leaf scorch and dieback, particularly on the sides of plants most exposed to the wind or winter sun.
Broadleaf evergreens like rhododendron, mountain laurel, holly, and boxwood are especially vulnerable because their larger leaves lose more moisture than the narrow needles of pines or spruces.
The Most Effective Ways to Prevent It
1. Deep Watering Before the Ground Freezes
Give your evergreens one last deep soak before the ground freezes—typically in late November or early December in Massachusetts. Moist soil holds heat better and keeps roots hydrated through the coldest months. Focus especially on newer plantings (under three years old) and exposed areas where wind and sun are strongest.
2. Apply an Anti-Desiccant
Products like Wilt-Pruf or Wilt Stop form a thin, breathable coating on leaves that slows moisture loss. Apply on a mild, dry day (above 40°F) before hard freezes set in. Depending on the winter, you may want to reapply in late January if temperatures rise above freezing for a few days.
3. Use Burlap Wisely
Burlap is a great physical barrier against cold wind and winter sun. Wrap loosely around the plant or create a simple windbreak using stakes and burlap on the windward side. Avoid wrapping too tightly or using plastic, which traps moisture and can cause more harm than good.
4. Mulch for Root Protection
Add a 2–3″ layer of bark mulch around the base of your evergreens to help insulate the soil and reduce temperature swings. Just keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk to avoid rot.
5. Choose the Right Site and Variety
If you’re planting new evergreens, choose varieties suited to your site. For windy or exposed areas, look for needled evergreens like spruce and pine. Whenever possible, plant where they’ll have some natural protection from prevailing winter winds.
Signs of Winter Desiccation
In spring, you’ll notice brown or yellow leaves, curling foliage, or entire branches that seem scorched. If your plants are otherwise healthy, new growth usually fills in by mid to late spring. Prune out any damaged parts once new growth emerges to encourage healthy recovery.
A Little Prevention Goes a Long Way
Winter desiccation can look alarming, but with the right preparation, it’s easy to prevent. Deep watering, protective sprays, and burlap barriers can make all the difference between lush spring foliage and browned, brittle leaves.
Stop by Mahoney’s Garden Centers to pick up everything you need—like Wilt-Pruf, burlap, mulch, and expert advice—to help your evergreens stay green all winter long.