Sudden sharp drops in temperature before roots or shoots are fully hardened-off in late autumn or early winter can cause root and/or shoot dieback the following spring. Sudden extreme variations in temperature as when a Chinook wind makes its way over the Rockies into our area and our temperature goes from -30C to +10 in just a few hours also can be extremely injurious to all kinds of trees and shrubs.

Besides ensuring that only hardy plants are used in your landscape, winter protection sprays can be applied to evergreens whenever possible. These anti-dessicants coat needles and leaves with an invisible, waxy substance preventing loss of vital moisture.