Intro
Evergreen trees are stunning and unique year around. Their green (or sometimes blueish) foliage captives us and stands out against the white landscape in winter. Keeping these trees looking great throughout the winter is a top priority for most people. The most common types of Evergreens grown in the Prairies are:
- Spruce
- Pine
- Cedar
- Juniper
There are a number of different species of the evergreens listed above and all can usually survive on their own through winter….. But there are several things you can do to help them thrive through those cold months.
1. Watering
Ensure evergreen trees receive plenty of water in fall before freeze up. Evergreens lose water all winter through their foliage, but can’t replace that water from the frozen ground. This can lead to the foliage turning brown during the winter, which can persist well into the following summer.
Help your trees stay hydrated by watering daily starting in mid-September to really saturate the ground before daytime temperatures stay below freezing.
2. Wrapping
To improve protection from the winter sun and drying winds, install a burlap wall around the plant. To do this, place stakes in the ground around your tree/shrub. Then wrap burlap around the outside of the stakes. The burlap should NOT touch the foliage. Keep the burlap at least 6” away from the foliage. This will ensure adequate air circulation around the plant.
Closing
Wrapping can help protect a newly planted small evergreen while it’s getting established in the landscape but it’s not a substitute for watering. Watering evergreen trees/shrubs in fall is the most important factor to ensure your evergreen plant stays EVERGREEN all year around!
