New conifers
New conifers can suffer during the winter months if they are not
given adequate protection, especially in exposed garden or on
free-draining soil. Being evergreen, they will continue to lose
water through transpiration that they have to replace through their
roots. Continue to water new conifers if there is a prolonged spell
of dry weather, treating them in much the same way as a winter
container plant. Conifers are also more prone to wind scorch during
their early years, so protect exposed plants with a piece of
windbreak netting firmly fixed to stout poles. After heavy falls of
snow, it is also worth knocking accumulations of snow from the tops
of larger trees to prevent them being pulled out of shape. If you
live in a high snowfall area, it might be worth wrapping a piece of
string or fine-mesh plastic netting around the conifer to help
protect it.
Tools required
windbreak netting
Skill rating
easy
