Throughout Colorado’s winter and early spring seasons, it’s common to observe brown evergreen needles in our community. These occurrences typically result from winter injury, which is often attributed to factors like wind, insufficient snow cover, temperature fluctuations, and reduced soil moisture—conditions characteristic of Colorado’s autumn and winter periods.
What can I do to protect my evergreen trees?
We are offering a brand new service that aims to enhance the health of your evergreens this winter season. With increasingly dry winters across the state, evergreens (especially those not adapted to our local climate) are becoming more susceptible to winter needle desiccation.
A single application of this new treatment will help to limit winter foliage burn from the arid, cold, and windy conditions that are ever-present across the front range. Ultimately, this will aid your evergreens in rebounding from the long period of winter dormancy, and help them bounce into spring with greater vitality.
Treatments are best applied in November, with a second treatment recommended in February to extend the protection through the last stretch of winter.
Each treatment creates a secondary moisture barrier with a wax-like coating on needles, decreasing water loss to transpiration. The treatment targets the foliage of the trees, and is safe for people and pets once dry.
Evergreen species we recommend treating include pines, junipers, arborvitae/cedars, yews, first, privet, boxwood and holly.
What else can I do to help my evergreen trees?
Colorado winters can be hard on trees and their root systems, which makes watering your trees during winter a definite must.
Newly planted trees will also need some special care this winter. Highly susceptible to drought injury, newly planted trees are still trying to get established. These new trees are working hard to grow and need regular water to keep up with the nutrients they are trying to produce.
Winter watering and regular fertilization can really be a lifesaver for your trees. Make a note to give your trees the added moisture they need to fully thrive next summer.
