Fall conditions have provided less then adequate moisture for healthy root development. A dry winter will result in stressed plants emerging in the spring. Young trees and shrubs and all evergreen plants should be given a good drink of water before the soil freezes for the winter. This added soil moisture provides the needed boost and reserves for the plant as it loses moisture in winter.
Winter winds have a drying effect on the small twigs and buds of many plants.
Evergreen plant materials, especially broadleaf types such as boxwood, hollies and rhododendrons are more likely to suffer. The large surface area of the leaves greatly increases desiccation. The damage from dry soils can vary from a burned edge to the foliage to complete leaf drop or in extreme cases death of the plant. Soils do not dry out as quickly in the winter as in summer. The drying effect is a combination of the freezing and thawing of the soil, winds, and plant uptake.