Evergreen trees and shrubs don’t require much maintenance, but if you aren’t careful they can dry out.
Evergreen trees and shrubs are beloved for their year-round foliage and graceful appearance. When they are planted in the right place, maintenance requirements can be low. Evergreen tree maintenance requires careful watering and mulching, occasional fertilizing, and pruning. Read on to learn the best techniques for keeping your evergreen trees and shrubs healthy and appealing.
Cultivating Evergreen Trees
It is best to plant evergreen trees and shrubs in places where the potential for drying out in the winter is minimal. The waxy coating of coniferous needles helps the plant conserve water, but winter sun and wind can dry those needles. You can decrease the chance of winter desiccation by applying an anti-desiccant coating to the evergreen needles or leaves in late Fall.
Evergreen trees and shrubs prefer exposure to full sun in the summer, and shade in the winter. It can be possible to fulfill both requirements by planting the trees and shrubs on the north side of your property. They should be planted in well-drained soil, and acidic conditions are optimal.
Mulching and Watering Evergreens
For evergreens to withstand harsh winter or drought conditions, soil moisture should be maintained. You can slow evaporation from the soil by mulching with coarse wood chips or shredded bark within the dripline. You can mix organic matter, such as compost, with mulch to add nutrients. Evergreen trees and shrubs should be watered deeply in the Fall before the ground freezes. Evergreen trees and shrubs will continue to lose water during the winter, especially on sunny, windy days and when the temperature is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If the soil dries, the plants may become desiccated, turn brown, and die.
Fertilizing Evergreen Trees
If growth is slow or the leaves or needles do not have the standard appearance, fertilizing may help. Combining Mycorrhizae, a beneficial fungus, with the fertilizer, will help the evergreen more efficiently absorb the nutrients.
Occasional Evergreen Pruning
Evergreen trees and shrubs will generally only require corrective pruning to remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches. You may also need to prune an evergreen to establish a leader, which is the vertical stem at the top if two develop instead of one. Avoid pruning in the late summer and early Fall, as new branch growth may be stimulated without having time to harden off before winter.
Scientific Plant Service Is Your Go-To Source In Landscape Healthcare
Scientific Plant Service, located in Baltimore, is a privately owned corporation, chartered in Maryland in 1957 by Frank J. Burke. We started as a full-service Arborists specializing in the care of shade trees and ornamental shrubs, but today we are a Lawn Care company that is a huge part of the community. From aquatic environments and snow management to deer and mole control, SPS has services tailored specifically for your lawn and landscape.
We offer services in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia, including: Harford, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince Georges, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Calvert counties in MD, as well as Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church in VA. For more information, contact us online, or call us at 410-321-0970. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest!