concern about my holly trees - Ask Extension
Hi:
I have 3 American holly trees. Upon examining them yesterday afternoon, I discovered that they each have a fair number of brown leaves. I reali...
Knowledgebase
concern about my holly trees #927253
Asked April 01, 2026, 11:05 AM EDT
Hi:
I have 3 American holly trees. Upon examining them yesterday afternoon, I discovered that they each have a fair number of brown leaves. I realize that we had a dreadfully cold winter with bitter winds. Perhaps the brown leaves are a normal response for holly trees. Nonetheless, I am concerned about them and want to learn what, if anything, I can do to help them. In case it matters, due to a horrible landscaping company last October, my neighbor's yard had many trees removed (without the owner's guidance) that used to block and shade my hollies from the rising sun in the east which is on the backside of the trees in my photos. As always, thank you for your guidance.
Carroll County Maryland
Expert Response
You are correct that this looks like weather-related damage. Winterburn has been widespread this year, especially on hollies, and we've received many questions about such damage. It occurs when cold combined with dry conditions (dry windy air, insufficient soil moisture) desiccate leaf tissue when evergreens cannot replace that lost moisture. Our ongoing drought likely exacerbated periods of below-freezing temps this winter.
Plants will shed winterburned leaves in their own time, usually just before or during the production of new growth later in spring. (For hollies, it's natural for new growth to occur late in spring compared to many deciduous plants, so you might not notice any until sometime in May.) No action is needed aside from monitoring them for watering needs to reduce any drought stress, as expanding new leaves requires lots of soil moisture.
Miri
Plants will shed winterburned leaves in their own time, usually just before or during the production of new growth later in spring. (For hollies, it's natural for new growth to occur late in spring compared to many deciduous plants, so you might not notice any until sometime in May.) No action is needed aside from monitoring them for watering needs to reduce any drought stress, as expanding new leaves requires lots of soil moisture.
Miri
Hi Miri:
Thank you for your knowledgeable reply. Most appreciated.
By the way, I have been also enjoying your column in the Carroll County Times when it apprears. Wish it appeared every week in the Life and Times section.
Thank you,
Jim
Thank you, and you're welcome!
