Winter Burn - Ask Extension
HI,
We live in west central Minnesota and this winter was very harsh with the cold and especially the wind. A couple of our older spruce trees expe...
Knowledgebase
Winter Burn #926894
Asked March 27, 2026, 12:22 PM EDT
HI,
We live in west central Minnesota and this winter was very harsh with the cold and especially the wind. A couple of our older spruce trees experienced winter burn. Is there anything I can do to help the tree?
Douglas County Minnesota
Expert Response
This publication discusses winter burn, what causes it, and how to prevent it:
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/winter-burn/
Despite losing needles to winter burn, spruce trees and shrubs often recover and look normal when new growth emerges from undamaged terminal buds. Be patient. The extent of damage, if uncertain, will be apparent by mid-summer.
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/winter-burn/
Despite losing needles to winter burn, spruce trees and shrubs often recover and look normal when new growth emerges from undamaged terminal buds. Be patient. The extent of damage, if uncertain, will be apparent by mid-summer.
Well established spruce trees are less susceptible to winter burn than recent transplants. Might other factors account for the burn symptoms? If in doubt, ask a certified arborist to assess the trees' health.
