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What to do with winter injury on evergreen plants
Ingram Sam
Sam Ingram

Our area has recently set record-low temperatures and although our plants did not experience direct damage from snow and ice like those of the northern part of the state, we could still see damage from this weather later this season.

Winter desiccation injury or “winter burn” is not as common in our area as others but can still be an issue. Plants that are newly transplanted and not established are more susceptible to winter burn. Both broad and narrow-leafed evergreens are susceptible to winter burn, including: junipers, pines, Leyland cypress, azaleas, arborvitae, hollies, rhododendrons, boxwoods, nandinas and photinias. Since these plants retain foliage throughout the winter, evergreens are continually transpiring water through needles or leaves. Winter burn can occur when the plant experiences low soil moisture, freezing temperatures or strong winds. A combination of these conditions can intensify the issue, and we have experienced all of these conditions this winter season. Of course our deciduous plants can also be susceptible to winter burn, but since these plants drop leaves during the winter, this lowers the plants’ maintenance level and thus potential injury.

If you suspect you have winter burn in the landscape, early spring is the best time to assess the damage. Pruning out the damaged areas is an option which can benefit the plant. The dead twigs or branches are more susceptible to disease or insects because they not as strong as healthy growing branches. So, if we remove those from the plant, we prevent an “easy pathway” for the disease or insect to enter the plant.

And of course, once the weather warms up we need to provide proper nutrients and maintain adequate soil moisture to those affected plants. This will stimulate new growth to fill in the voids, establish a stronger root system for next winter and possibly prevent further injury (a stronger plant can fighter stronger problems). Thanks to Clark MacCallister, Dawson County ANR agent, for providing information to support this article.

For additional questions, please contact Effingham County Extension Agent Sam Ingram at 754-8040 or singram@uga.edu.