Frosted evergreen trees on a winter hillside

Fall & Winter

Winter Desiccation: Why Evergreens and Lawns Brown Out in a Dry Winter

Winter burn isn't the cold. It's dry wind and sun pulling water out of plants when frozen ground can't replace it. Which plants are at risk, and what to do this fall to prevent it.

Jack · golf course superintendent·3 min read·October 4, 2026

People think winter damage is about cold. Usually it's about water. On a sunny, windy day in January, evergreens and even lawns keep losing moisture, but the ground is frozen and the roots can't pull any more in. Plants dry out and brown, and the damage often doesn't show until spring. This is called winter desiccation, or winter burn.

How it happens

Evergreens keep their needles. Needles and leaves keep losing water all winter, especially in sun and wind.
Frozen soil. Roots can't take up water from frozen ground.
Dry winters with little snow make it worse. Snow cover protects roots and turf.
Sun reflecting off snow heats foliage on bright days.

The result is brown or bronze needles, usually on the windward side, the south and west sides, or the top of the plant above the snow line.

Plants most at risk

Arborvitae, yews, hemlocks and some junipers.
Broadleaf evergreens like boxwood, rhododendron and holly.
Newly planted trees and shrubs, which haven't grown deep roots yet.
Plants in exposed spots: corners, open lots, near roads.

Lawns dry out too

Turf can suffer winter desiccation in dry, windy winters without snow cover, especially on high spots, slopes and exposed areas. On golf courses, exposed greens are protected with covers for exactly this reason. In a home lawn, it shows as tan, dead patches in spring that don't green up.

What to do this fall

1. Water deeply before the ground freezes

The single most important step. Give evergreens and young trees a deep, slow soak every week or so in fall when it's dry, right up until the ground freezes. See water your trees before the ground freezes.

2. Mulch

Two to four inches of mulch over the root zone holds moisture and keeps the soil from freezing as deep.

3. Shield from wind and sun

For vulnerable shrubs in exposed spots, set up a burlap windscreen on stakes. See burlap on evergreens.

4. Water the lawn if fall is dry

A dry fall sends turf into winter stressed. If it's dry, water the lawn deeply before it goes dormant.

5. Plant smart

When planting new evergreens, choose spots sheltered from the worst winter wind, and choose varieties rated for your zone.

What about anti-desiccant sprays?

They coat needles with a waxy film to slow water loss. Research is mixed. Watering and windbreaks do more.

During a dry winter

If there's a thaw and the ground isn't frozen, you can water evergreens on a mild day. Water early so it soaks in before nightfall.

In spring

Don't prune brown evergreens right away. Wait until new growth starts; buds may still be alive. Cut out only what's truly dead.

For lawns, rake brown patches lightly, and overseed areas that don't recover by late spring.

The best defense against winter burn is a well-watered plant going into winter. It sounds too simple to work, but it's the thing that saves the most evergreens.

Photo by shogun on Pixabay.