Evergreens Shedding and Changing Colors

Property owners often notice evergreens shedding needles and changing colors, which can cause concern. Understanding when evergreens shedding and changing colors is normal versus when it indicates problems helps you care for these plants appropriately.

Normal Needle Shedding

Evergreens shedding needles is a normal process that occurs as older needles are replaced by new growth. This natural evergreens shedding typically happens in fall or early winter and is usually most noticeable on the interior of the plant, where older needles are located.

Understanding that some evergreens shedding is normal helps you distinguish between natural processes and problems that may need attention.

Seasonal Color Changes

Evergreens changing colors can be normal during certain times of year, particularly in fall and winter. Some evergreens naturally develop bronze or purplish tones during cold weather, which is part of normal evergreens changing colors in response to seasonal conditions.

This normal evergreens changing colors is typically temporary and plants return to their normal green color when warmer weather returns.

When Shedding Indicates Problems

While some evergreens shedding is normal, excessive shedding or shedding of new growth may indicate problems. If evergreens shedding occurs on outer branches or involves new needles, this may signal stress, disease, or other issues that need attention.

Understanding when evergreens shedding indicates problems helps you identify issues that may need professional assessment or treatment.

When Color Changes Indicate Problems

While some evergreens changing colors is normal, certain color changes may indicate problems. Yellowing or browning that is widespread, affects new growth, or persists beyond normal seasonal changes may indicate issues such as disease, pest problems, or environmental stress.

Understanding when evergreens changing colors indicates problems helps you identify issues that may need attention.

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors can contribute to evergreens shedding and changing colors. Drought stress, winter desiccation, salt damage, or other environmental stresses can cause increased shedding or color changes that indicate problems rather than normal processes.

Understanding these environmental factors helps you address conditions that may be causing problematic evergreens shedding and changing colors.

Proper Care to Minimize Problems

Proper care can help minimize problematic evergreens shedding and changing colors. Adequate watering, especially before winter and during dry periods, protection from salt damage, and addressing soil health can all help reduce stress that may cause excessive shedding or color changes.

These care practices help ensure that any evergreens shedding and changing colors you observe is normal rather than indicating problems.

Greenwise Plant Care Services

At Greenwise, our landscape maintenance services include assessment and care for evergreens. We work with property owners throughout Chicagoland and Milwaukee to help them understand when evergreens shedding and changing colors is normal versus when it indicates problems.

Our team can help assess evergreens shedding and changing colors and provide appropriate care to support plant health.