In Canada, our winters are more than just a season—they are a test of endurance for your landscape. While the Emerald, Black, and Eastern White Cedars we grow at our nursery are incredibly hardy, their first few winters in the ground are the most critical.
"Winter Burn" or "Winter Desiccation" happens when cold winds dry out the foliage while the ground is frozen, preventing the roots from drinking. To ensure your investment stays lush and green until spring, follow this nursery-approved winterization checklist.
1. Hydrate Before the Freeze (The Most Important Step)
The #1 cause of cedar death in Canada isn't the cold—it’s thirst.
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The Goal: Ensure the root ball is saturated before the ground freezes solid (usually late November).
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The Action: Continue deep watering with a soaker hose until the first hard frost. Think of it as "tanking up" the tree for a long, dry journey.
2. Mulching for Insulation
A thick layer of mulch acts like a thermal blanket for the root system.
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The Action: Apply 3–4 inches of wood mulch or shredded bark around the base of your trees.
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Pro-Tip: Leave a small gap (2 inches) between the mulch and the actual trunk of the tree to prevent bark rot. This insulation keeps the ground from "heaving" during the freeze-thaw cycles of February and March.
3. Wrapping with Burlap: When and Why?
Not every cedar needs to be wrapped, but for young trees or those in high-wind areas, burlap is a lifesaver.
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Why Burlap? It protects against salt spray (from roads), prevents windburn, and shades the tree from the "late winter sun" that can trick the tree into waking up too early.
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The Action: Use wooden stakes to create a "fence" around the tree and wrap the burlap around the stakes rather than the tree itself. This prevents the wet fabric from freezing directly onto the foliage.
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Warning: Never use plastic. Plastic traps heat and moisture, which will cook your trees on a sunny day or cause fungal disease.
4. Protecting Against Heavy Snow Load
Varieties like the Emerald Cedar can sometimes splay open under the weight of heavy, wet snow.
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The Action: For columnar trees, use heavy-duty garden twine to lightly spiral-wrap the tree from the base to the top. This keeps the branches tucked in tight so snow slides right off.
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The "Sweep" Method: If snow accumulates, gently brush it upward with a broom. Never shake the branches vigorously, as frozen wood is brittle and can snap.
Winter Protection Cheat Sheet by Variety
| Variety | Winter Vulnerability | Best Protection Method |
| Emerald Green | High (Winter Burn) | Burlap wrap + Twine spiral |
| Eastern White | Low (Very Hardy) | Deep watering + Mulch |
| Green Giant | Moderate (Zone 5/6) | Anti-desiccant spray + Mulch |
| Black Cedar | Low (Retains Color) | Mulch + Deep watering |
| American Pillar | Low (Strong Structure) | Minimal (Twine if very tall) |
5. Anti-Desiccant Sprays
If you have a very long hedge and wrapping isn't practical, consider an anti-desiccant spray (like Wilt-Pruf). This leaves a thin, waxy coating on the needles that reduces moisture loss.
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Timing: Apply once in late autumn when temperatures are around 5°C and again during a mid-winter thaw if possible.
Spring Survival: Don't Panic!
When the snow melts, your cedars might look a little "bronze" or dull. In 90% of cases, this is a natural dormant state. Once the soil warms up and the spring rains arrive, that vibrant green color will return.
Order Your Hardy Canadian Cedars Today
At our nursery, we only sell varieties that are proven to handle the Canadian climate. We dig and ship our trees at the peak of health to ensure they have the best start possible