In this Cottage Life article, Ryan Statham from Davey’s Strathroy office talks about winter burn and what can be done about it.  

Posted: March 07, 2023

The needles on some of my evergreens have turned brown. My neighbor at the cottagePicture of a Davey arborist properly pruning a tree. told me that she thinks it’s from winter burn. Could she be correct? Will the trees recover? 

Without seeing the trees, it’s impossible to know for sure—tree foliage can turn brown for many reasons. But your neighbor could be right. 

“Winter burn occurs when a tree loses more water through its leaves than it can absorb from the frozen ground,” says Ryan Statham, the district manager at the Strathroy, Ontario, office of The Davey Tree Expert Company. There are multiple possible symptoms to look for, including brown, dry foliage; discoloured, damaged, or cracked bark; and in the spring, die back at the tips of the branches, with no new growth.  

To read the rest of Ryan’s advice, click here. 

Other News Posts

DSC 6420
Davey In The News

Why Are Trees Showing Signs of Stress?

George Reno from Davey's Menlo Park office talks about what the signs of drought stress are in trees and how to act quickly to prevent more damage. 
Read More
Screenshot 2025 07 02 115059
Davey In The News

Bagworms Are Hatching

Brad McBride from Davey's West Cleveland office talks about the invasive bagworm and how you can prevent them damaging your trees.
Read More
Two Employees (1)
Two Employees (1)

Get In Touch With Us!

We pride ourselves at Davey Tree on providing prompt, professional and personalized service from certified arborists that live, work and engage in your community. Contact one of our Davey Tree specialists for your residential, commercial, utility, or environmental needs.

Let's Find What
You're Looking For!