Protecting Shrubs and Evergreens From Winter Burn, Snow and Salt
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The short answer
Water evergreens deeply before the ground freezes, add 2–3 inches of mulch, and screen exposed or young shrubs with burlap on stakes on the wind and salt side. Loosely tie upright evergreens so snow can't split them, and brush heavy snow off gently with a broom — never knock off ice.
Burlap Roll
Breathable wind and salt screen.
Most winter damage on evergreens is drying out: wind and sun pull water from the leaves while the roots sit in frozen soil. That shows up in spring as brown, burned foliage on the exposed side.
Late-fall checklist
- 1Deep-water evergreens and new shrubs until the ground freezes.
- 2Mulch 2–3 inches deep, pulled back a few inches from stems.
- 3Drive stakes and staple burlap around them — don't wrap burlap tight against the leaves.
- 4Tie upright arborvitae and junipers loosely with soft twine.
- 5Put screens on the driveway side of shrubs that get salt spray.
What not to do
- Don't use plastic sheeting — it traps heat and can cook the plant on sunny days.
- Don't prune or fertilize in late fall; it pushes tender growth.
- Don't shake ice off branches; let it melt.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When should I wrap shrubs in burlap?
- After the ground starts freezing in late fall, and remove it in early spring once hard freezes end.
- Do anti-desiccant sprays work?
- They can help on broadleaf evergreens when applied above freezing per the label, but watering and screening matter more.
- Will brown arborvitae recover?
- If the buds are alive, new growth usually fills in by summer. Wait before cutting.
The Gear We’d Buy
Everything referenced in this guide, in one place.
Burlap Roll
Top pickBreathable wind and salt screen.
Typically $15 - $30
Anti-Desiccant Spray
Extra help for broadleaf evergreens.
Typically $20 - $35
Soft Plant Ties
Ties uprights against snow load.
Typically $8 - $15
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Key Takeaways
- Water deeply before the ground freezes.
- Burlap on stakes, never plastic.
- Tie uprights loosely against snow load.
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Reviewed by
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We buy, borrow and break lawn tools on our own yards — clay in the back, sand-cut Bermuda in the front — and write down what actually changed the result.
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Burlap Roll