Fall Evergreen Care 

Fall is a great time for plants. The soil warmed throughout the summer provides the ideal condition for plant root growth. In addition, the cool air reduces stress on plants, especially newly planted ones. Whether your evergreens are newly planted or have been around for awhile, there are a few fall tips that are useful to all evergreens in the midwest.

First, just a reminder of what an evergreen is. Evergreens are plants that retain their foliage throughout the year. They may or may not be “green” and they may actually have leaves like those on Boxwood or leaves more commonly referred to as needles like those on Spruce trees. 

You can expect evergreens that are conifers (woody plants that bear their seeds in cones) to have some needle drop in the fall. If you see yellowing of needles at other times of the year they are likely suffering from lack of water or another ailment. To combat yellowing of needles in spring, it is important to make sure the plants are well watered going into winter. They should be watered thoroughly until the ground is frozen. Keep in mind the ground doesn’t freeze until well beyond the first frost. The ground typically begins to freeze when the night time temperature is well below 32°F for many days and nights in a row. This can occur as early as Thanksgiving, but often not until well into December.

Winter burn can be commonly seen in evergreens during bitterly cold winters. This often doesn’t show up until spring as the plants are breaking dormancy. Wilt Stop or another type of anti-dessicant spray can be used to help prevent evergreens from losing moisture. The application generally requires a thorough spraying of the plants to coat all surfaces. This adds a protective coating on the leaves. However, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on whatever product you are using. The spray can also be used on real Christmas trees and wreaths to maintain moisture.