Should I water my evergreens during New Brunswick winters?

Yes, winter watering of evergreens is beneficial in New Brunswick, but only during mid-winter thaws when temperatures rise above 0°C for several consecutive days and the ground surface thaws enough to absorb water. Evergreen desiccation — also called winter burn — is one of the most common landscape problems in NB, caused by evergreen needles and leaves continuing to lose moisture through transpiration while frozen roots cannot replace that water from the soil.

The science is straightforward. Even in winter, evergreen foliage loses moisture through its needles and leaf pores, especially on sunny, windy days. NB's cold, dry winter winds accelerate this moisture loss significantly, and coastal areas near the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of St. Lawrence are particularly affected. Meanwhile, the root zone is frozen solid to depths of 1.2-1.5 metres, so the tree or shrub cannot pull water from the soil. The result is desiccated needles that turn brown, starting at the tips and working inward. This damage often doesn't show until spring, when homeowners notice entire sections of their evergreens have turned rusty brown.

The most critical watering happens in late fall, before the ground freezes. Give all evergreens a deep, thorough watering in late October and early November — soak the root zone with 1-2 inches of water over several hours. This ensures the roots and surrounding soil go into winter with maximum moisture reserves. This single late-fall watering is more important than any mid-winter watering you might do, and it's the step most NB homeowners skip.

During winter thaws — which NB typically gets several times between December and March — take advantage of above-freezing temperatures to water again. When daytime highs reach 3-5°C or above for at least 2-3 consecutive days, the soil surface thaws enough to absorb water. Use a watering can or a hose (if yours hasn't been drained and stored) to apply several gallons around the base of each evergreen, focusing on the drip line where most feeder roots are located. Water during the warmest part of the day so it has time to soak in before nighttime temperatures drop again.

Not all evergreens are equally vulnerable to winter desiccation in NB. Broadleaf evergreens like rhododendrons, azaleas, boxwood, and holly are the most susceptible because their larger leaf surfaces lose moisture faster than narrow-needled conifers. Newly planted evergreens of any type are at higher risk because their root systems are less established. Arborvitae (cedar) hedges in exposed locations are another common casualty.

Anti-desiccant sprays like Wilt-Pruf are a valuable complement to winter watering. Apply them in late October on a dry day above 4°C. They create a waxy barrier on needles and leaves that reduces moisture loss by up to 80%. Combined with thorough fall watering and opportunistic thaw watering, anti-desiccants form a comprehensive defense against the winter burn that damages so many NB evergreens each year. A single can of anti-desiccant costs $15-30 and covers several large shrubs.

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