Patrick's Perspective (Winter version): Key Risks for Minnesota Plants

Winter in Minnesota can be brutal for plants. Here’s a practical checklist of what to watch for and how to protect your landscape during the cold months:

Key Winter Risks for Plants in Minnesota

1. Extreme Cold & Wind

• Risk: Deep freezes and drying winds cause dieback and desiccation
• Watch for: Browning needles on evergreens, cracked bark
• Protect plants with:
  • Burlap screens for shrubs
  • Anti-desiccant sprays on evergreens (late fall)

2. Sunscald & Frost Cracks

• Risk: Winter sun warms bark, followed by rapid nighttime freezing
• Common on: Young trees (maple, linden, fruit trees)
• Protect trees with:
  • White tree wraps or guards on trunks (remove in spring)

3. Animal Damage (Deer, Rabbits, Voles)

• Risk: Bark stripping and girdling under snow
• Watch for: Chewed bark near the base
• Protect plants with:
  • Hardware cloth or tree guards
  • Deer fencing or repellents

4. Winter Burn (Evergreens)

• Risk: Needles lose moisture while roots are frozen
• Watch for: Yellowing or browning on wind-facing sides
• Protect trees with these tips:
  • Water deeply before ground freezes
  • Mulch roots well
  • Burlap windbreaks

5. Heavy Snow & Ice Load

• Risk: Broken branches on upright evergreens and shrubs
• Tip:
  • Gently brush snow off (don’t shake)
  • Tie multi-stem shrubs loosely with twine

6. Heaving from Freeze–Thaw Cycles

• Risk: Roots pushed out of soil
• Common on: Perennials, young plants
• Protect:
  • Put 2–4 inches of mulch after ground freezes
  • Press lifted plants back down during thaws

7. Salt Damage (Roads & Sidewalks)

• Risk: Burned foliage and soil toxicity
• Watch for: Browning near roads or driveways
• Protect with these tips:
  • Use burlap barriers
  • Use calcium magnesium acetate instead of rock salt
  • Rinse soil in spring

8. Over- or Under-Mulching

• Avoid:
  • Mulch volcanoes against trunks
  • Mulching too early (can trap rodents)
• Best practice:
  • Apply mulch after soil freezes, keep it a few inches away from stems

If you need help with your trees or plants to help them survive winter, contact our experts at Minnesota Landscapes.