[GPI]

Wind burn, Wind Damage, Leaf Desiccation and Your Plants.
by GPI.

We have had to endure some heavy downpours of rain recently, this would lead you to presume that very few garden plantings would suffer from the lack of water, but the situation is not as “cut and dried” as it seems. During November, December, January and February, along with a fair amount of precipitation the Irish climate also throws a share of harsh and drying winds our way.
The drying ability of these winds can cause plants to draw upon large quantities of water. Water, that is required to replace the moisture that is lost through the plants wind dried leaves. A bitter drying wind causes leaf desiccation (drying) or windburn especially on the groups of plants that retain their leaves right throughout the winter; these two groups are the broadleaf evergreens and the conifers.

Broadleaf evergreens will retain a leaf covering all year round, prime examples being Laurel, Photinia, Mahonia and Choisya. Conifers also retain their scaly or needle–like leaf covering all year round with Leylandii, Yew, Pine and Cedar falling into this group. The often permanent browning of foliage in the path of harsh drying winds (burned Leylandii hedging anyone) can be lessened by the following two measures.

Photo / pic / image of wind burn, wind damage or leaf desiccation on leylandii and Hosta.

Firstly when locating these broadleaf evergreens and conifers, select a position which will afford them protection from drying winds, think about planting within a buffer of wind resistant planting such as Alder, Mountain Ash, Fuchsia etc.

Alternatively create an artificial wind buffer such as panel fencing, double trellising or the erection of the rather unattractive but effective wind break meshes which are widely available. To act as a windbreak for individual specimens, a simple screen of canvas sacking or clear polythene stretched between two posts is an economical option.

The other measure which will help combat water loss through leaves is simply to water your broadleaf evergreens and conifers, especially before periods of drying winds. A deep watering will offer a greater reserve of moisture to a plants desiccating leaves, this method is especially important with regard to new plantings as their water sourcing roots may be immature and require large reserves of the wet stuff.

One final tip, if you grow a conifer or broadleaf evergreen in a container, I would advise moving it to a sheltered location during the windy season. A prime example of this form of planting is the Bay Laurel tree, which is often clipped to a lollipop shape and proudly displayed by the doorsteps of many homes.

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