Arborvitae Fail - Ask Extension
Hi there! Not sure if you have arborists as part of the Master Gardener program — i am trying to do damage control on my arborvitaes. I didn't know...
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Arborvitae Fail #926974
Asked March 28, 2026, 5:47 PM EDT
Hi there! Not sure if you have arborists as part of the Master Gardener program — i am trying to do damage control on my arborvitaes. I didn't know you were supposed to wrap them in winter and the bottoms all died. I trimmed the dead stuff but now they look weird. Everything I've read says regrowth isn't possible. I am hoping for a Hail Mary. See pictures (third picture is the energy it's giving). If, in fact, there's no way to do damage control — are there any hearty winter varietals you'd recommend? Alternatives that don't require wrapping? Thanks!
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Regrowth isn't possible when stems are brown to the base and no green remains. When winter damage is less severe, new growth may develop. If green tissue is present, it's best to wait until new growth begins before removing the damaged portion.
The following publications discuss winter burn, what causes it and how to prevent it. When the recommended precautions are taken into account, wrapping is seldom necessary.
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/winter-burn/
https://ask.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=897413
Newly planted arborvitae are most susceptible to winter burn. It's important to water them well until the ground freezes and apply mulch.
Arborvitae varieties considered winter burn resistant by some growers include North Pole, Techny, Green Giant and Wintergreen.
Master gardeners do not provide arborist services. If you decide to hire a tree care professional, this information may be useful:
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional
The following publications discuss winter burn, what causes it and how to prevent it. When the recommended precautions are taken into account, wrapping is seldom necessary.
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/winter-burn/
https://ask.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=897413
Newly planted arborvitae are most susceptible to winter burn. It's important to water them well until the ground freezes and apply mulch.
Arborvitae varieties considered winter burn resistant by some growers include North Pole, Techny, Green Giant and Wintergreen.
Master gardeners do not provide arborist services. If you decide to hire a tree care professional, this information may be useful:
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional
