Freezing temperatures and wind damage can harm or kill plants that aren’t protected from the elements.
Hollies and other broad leaf trees are well-suited for anti-desiccant use, according to Mayberry.
tle, and icy wind sweeping through. Plants sprayed with anti-desiccant hold a subtle sheen, almost as if they’ve been polished, their surfaces locked in moisture while their unprotected neighbors crisp and curl. THE PLANTS THAT NEED IT MOST Some species are especially vulnerable to winter desiccation. Broadleaf ever- greens — hollies, rhododendrons, box-
needed. Apply too late, and frost dam- age may have already begun. “You’d really want to do it in later fall, early winter,” Mayberry explained. Temperatures should hover in the 40s or 50s with no rain in the forecast. A thorough coat, reapplied every four to six weeks, keeps the protection intact. Visualize a garden in December: the soil already stiff with frost, leaves brit-
A THIN SHIELD WITH A BIG IMPACT Imagine wrapping a plant in an invis- ible coat of armor. That’s essentially what an anti-desiccant does. “It’s an environmentally healthy ap- proach,” said Justin Mayberry, sales representative at Alpine Tree . “When you safely apply anti-desiccants, they still allow the stomata and plant to breathe.” By sealing in moisture, anti-desiccants help plants retain 15-20% more water — an advantage during long, dry win- ters when roots cannot absorb moisture from frozen soil. Mayberry pointed out that the benefit stretches beyond win- ter. The same protective coating can ease transplant shock or help trees en- dure prolonged droughts. “It’s not just used for winter protec- tion,” he said. “It’s also used for drought stress and transplant use.” TIMING IS EVERYTHING Anti-desiccants are only as effective as their timing. Apply them too early, and rain or warm temperatures may break down the protective layer before it is
Frost damage to trees occurs when freezing temperatures cause the water inside plant cells to freeze, leading to cell rupture and tissue damage. Symptoms can include discolored leaves, wilting, and even split bark.
50 | Fall 2025 ArborTIMES ™
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