Winter can be hard on arborvitae and other evergreen shrubs. When snow covers natural food sources, deer may browse heavily on lower branches. Cold winds and bright winter sun can also dry out foliage, causing winter burn.
The good news is that winter protection for evergreens can be simple and practical. A well-planned barrier, proper watering, and a seasonal inspection routine can help protect your plants before serious damage occurs.
Why Arborvitae Need Winter Protection
Arborvitae, yews, pines, and other evergreens remain attractive food sources when many plants are dormant. Deer often browse from the top down and may reach several feet into a shrub. Snow buildup can give them additional height.
Winter conditions create other risks:
- Deer browsing on green foliage
- Antler rubbing on young trees
- Branch breakage from heavy snow
- Drying winds
- Bright winter sun
- Frozen soil that prevents roots from replacing lost moisture
According to Iowa State University Extension, arborvitae and yews are especially susceptible to winter desiccation, also called winter burn. The foliage loses moisture through wind and sun, while frozen soil limits the plant’s ability to absorb more water.
Start With Physical Exclusion
The most dependable way to prevent arborvitae deer damage is to keep deer away from the plant. Physical barriers work more consistently than repellents because they do not depend on scent, weather, or deer tolerance.
Choose the barrier based on the size of the planting.
Individual shrubs
For one or several arborvitae, use a cage or netting barrier around each plant. The barrier should:
- Stand high enough to prevent deer from reaching over it
- Remain far enough from the foliage that deer cannot browse through the mesh
- Be secured to stakes or posts
- Stay close to the ground with no easy opening underneath
- Allow enough room for snow and branch movement
For individual shrubs, seasonal netting or shrub wrap can be easier to install than a full property fence.
American Nettings & Fabric’s Shrub Wrap is made from lightweight knitted polyethylene. It helps reduce branch breakage from snow and provides seasonal protection from deer, ice, and salt damage. It is available in 19-inch-wide rolls in 50- and 250-foot lengths.
Larger planting areas
If you are protecting a hedge, garden, nursery area, or group of evergreens, a perimeter deer fence may be more practical.
A full deer barrier should generally be about 8 feet high where deer pressure is significant. The Heavy Duty Deer Fence is made from UV-stabilized polypropylene and is available in 7.5-foot widths and long rolls. For some properties, a 7.5-foot fence may provide a practical starting point. Heavy deer pressure, uneven ground, and open approaches may require additional height or layout adjustments.
For a lighter seasonal installation, Deer & Bird Netting can be used around smaller gardens and plantings. Select the material according to the size of the area, the amount of deer pressure, and how often the barrier will be inspected.
How to Wrap Arborvitae for Winter
Wrapping can help protect arborvitae from deer and snow, but the installation should not crush the foliage or trap moisture.
For a seasonal shrub wrap:
- Inspect the plant and remove broken branches.
- Start near the base of the shrub.
- Wrap upward in a loose spiral.
- Overlap each pass to reduce open gaps.
- Continue to the top of the plant.
- Tuck or tie off the loose end.
- Check that the material is secure but not cutting into branches.
The Shrub Wrap product instructions recommend overlapping the material by about half its width as you move upward. This helps create a consistent protective layer while allowing the wrap to follow the shape of the plant.
For winter-burn protection, do not tightly cover the foliage with an airtight material. A breathable screen placed around the plant is usually a better approach. Iowa State University Extension recommends setting a wind screen at least 6 inches away from the foliage rather than wrapping burlap directly around the plant.
A screen can be made with:
- Four stakes or support posts
- Woven fencing or netting
- Burlap or another breathable fabric
- Secure ties or fasteners
Place the screen on the side facing the strongest winter wind and afternoon sun. If deer pressure is high, extend the barrier around the full plant.
Water Before the Ground Freezes
Healthy, hydrated plants are better prepared for winter stress. Water arborvitae deeply during dry fall periods and continue watering as needed until the ground freezes.
Focus on the root zone rather than spraying the foliage. Give the water time to soak into the soil. Newly planted evergreens need particular attention because their root systems are still developing.
A layer of mulch can help moderate soil temperature and reduce moisture loss. Apply mulch around the root zone, but keep it away from the trunk and main stems. Avoid piling mulch directly against the plant.
Watering cannot stop deer browsing, but it can reduce the risk of winter burn when combined with wind protection and proper site care.
Use Repellents as Backup Protection
Deer repellents may provide additional help, especially around small plantings. They should support a physical barrier rather than replace one.
For best results:
- Apply repellent before deer begin regular browsing
- Follow the product label for temperature and weather limits
- Cover the foliage from the top down to the browsing height
- Reapply after rain, snow, or thawing conditions
- Change products or scent types occasionally to reduce habituation
Repellents are less reliable during extended winter weather. Freezing temperatures, snow, and repeated storms can make applications difficult. If deer are already feeding on your arborvitae, install a barrier promptly.
Protect Against Snow and Ice
Heavy, wet snow can split or bend multi-stemmed evergreens. A loose support wrap can help hold branches together during winter storms.
Inspect the plant after significant snowfall. If snow is heavy, gently brush it away with an upward motion. Avoid pulling branches downward or shaking the plant forcefully.
Do not allow snow from a roof, driveway, or walkway to pile onto the shrub. The added weight can cause breakage even when the plant is otherwise healthy.
Remove seasonal support materials in spring after severe winter conditions have passed. Leaving wraps or screens in place too long can restrict growth and reduce airflow.
Check for Deer Damage During Winter
Walk around protected plants every few weeks. Look for:
- Browsed branch tips
- Missing foliage on the lower portion of the plant
- Torn or pulled netting
- Loose ties
- Gaps beneath a cage or fence
- Snow buildup that allows deer to reach higher
- Broken branches
- Browsing outside the protected area
If you find fresh damage, repair the barrier immediately. Deer may return to the same plant once they identify it as a dependable food source.
Can a Damaged Arborvitae Recover?
Recovery depends on how much foliage and how many growing points remain. Lightly browsed branches may produce new growth in spring. Heavily damaged areas may remain bare if the buds have been removed.
The best response is to:
- Prevent additional browsing.
- Wait until spring growth appears.
- Prune only dead or clearly damaged material.
- Avoid heavy shaping before you can assess new growth.
- Keep the plant watered during dry periods.
Do not assume that a brown section will fill in quickly. Arborvitae may recover gradually, and bare areas without viable buds may not produce much new growth.
Winter Protection Checklist
Before winter
- Inspect arborvitae and other vulnerable evergreens.
- Water deeply during dry fall weather.
- Install cages, netting, or a deer fence.
- Set up a breathable wind screen where needed.
- Secure loose branches if heavy snow is likely.
- Apply deer repellent as a secondary measure.
During winter
- Check barriers after wind, snow, and thawing.
- Repair gaps and loose fasteners.
- Remove heavy wet snow carefully.
- Watch for new browsing.
- Keep snow from piling against the plant.
In spring
- Remove seasonal wraps and screens.
- Inspect for broken or dead branches.
- Wait for new growth before major pruning.
- Adjust the protection plan for the next winter.
Protect Your Evergreens Before Damage Begins
Winter protection for evergreens works best when installed before deer establish a feeding pattern. A suitable netting barrier can protect individual arborvitae, while a taller deer fence can secure an entire garden or landscape area.
Explore American Nettings & Fabric’s fencing products and crop protection products for seasonal and long-term solutions. With more than 40 years of experience supplying netting and fabric for gardens, farms, nurseries, and landscapes, our team can help you choose an option that fits your plants and property.
Protect your arborvitae early. Reduce deer damage. Prepare your evergreens for winter.