Blog, Home Tree Care
Do Anti-Desiccant Treatments Really Work?
As temperatures steadily lower in preparation for winter you may be thinking about potential damage to your broadleaf evergreens. Especially if they suffered from winter burn last year. Symptoms of winter burn in your evergreens may not be evident until the spring, when you will notice things like:
- Discoloration
- Browning and drying
- Needle or leaf drop
Trees that are in full sun or in exposed windy locations are more likely to experience winter burn.
Up Next: 4 Winter Tree Care Tips For Healthier Trees Year Round
Before applying any kind of treatment to your trees, understand what they are and if they will benefit your trees.
What Is An Anti-Desiccant Treatment?
Anti-desiccant treatments are a spray that is applied to the leaves or needles of an evergreen to prevent water loss during winter stress. These treatments can last up to six months in the winter and gradually wear off by spring.
In Most Cases, Anti-Desiccant Treatments Aren’t Needed
Anti-desiccant treatments normally aren’t needed in your garden. Some evergreens, like blue spruce, already have a protective coating that shouldn’t be damaged. Putting the right tree in the right place when planting and keeping the tree hydrated in the winter will help prevent winter burn.
Basic winter tree care like applying mulch, watering when needed, and wrapping younger, more vulnerable plants in burlap will help protect them in the winter.
Contact The Professionals At Hansen’s Tree Service For A Consultation
If you are worried about your evergreens this winter, contact the professional ISA-certified arborists at Hansen’s Tree Service for a consultation. They will come to your home and inspect your evergreens to provide you with details such as potential problems and treatment strategies. We’ll let you know whether or not your plants will benefit from an anti-desiccant treatment.