• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
RTEC Treecare

RTEC Treecare

Expert Tree Care in the DC Metro Area | Call 703-573-3029 to talk to a Tree Care Expert.

  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Serve
      • Government
      • Commercial Environmental Services
      • Residential
    • Our Story
    • Our Team
    • Our Core Values
    • Testimonials
  • Plant Health Care
  • Tree Maintenance
  • Careers
    • We Are an Equal Opportunity Employer
    • We Welcome Veterans and Military Service Members
    • RTEC Benefits
    • RTEC Is Now Hiring
  • Blog
  • 703-573-3029
  • Contact Us

Look For An Evergreen Day: What You Should Know About Them

Resources: Community

Today is “Look For An Evergreen Day”! What comes to your mind when you see Evergreen trees? Do you immediately think of Christmas? If so, you’re one of many, especially during this holiday season.

But, from their history, to their use as privacy screens, to their overall beauty, there is so much more to them.  

In appreciation of our beautiful evergreens, we’re going to dive into how evergreens became a part of Christmas history, why evergreens are often used for privacy screens, and the reason evergreens are almost always green (and what to do if yours aren’t).


The History Behind Evergreen Christmas Trees

Evergreen Christmas Tree History, sketch of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are known to have popularized Christmas trees.

Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Far before Santa visited malls and twinkle lights decorated homes, evergreens were principal decorations in ancient Egypt and Rome.

Just like string lights, people hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. But they weren’t just a decoration to them. They believed their evergreens could help protect against evil.

It took America a bit longer to grasp the enjoyment of Christmas trees; but, gradually, the appreciation grew. By the 1890s and early 1900s, America began decorating their evergreen Christmas trees with handmade ornaments and the brand-new invention, Christmas lights.

While there are various types of evergreen trees,throughout history, Fir trees have reigned as the traditional evergreen Christmas tree. Fir trees have been the centerpiece of winter festivals dating back to a thousand years ago.

Still today, many people view Christmas trees as a symbol of hope.

>> Read more about the history of Christmas Trees


Privacy Screens, Another Popular Use of Evergreen Trees

privacy screen evergreen tree browning
Once one gets infected, the others follow.

Florida Division of Plant Industry, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org

While you may recognize evergreen trees as the symbol of Christmas, did you know there’s another common use for them?

Many homeowners enjoy the idea of establishing a barrier, or a “privacy screen,” around their home to protect them and their family from outside eyes and ears. The privacy screen boosts comfort, security, and solitude, and in the case of a “living wall,” an even more beautiful landscape.

Often, homeowners search for fast growing evergreen trees to create their privacy screen and are sold on Leyland cypress. True, they’re beautiful and they grow fast – but, what isn’t marketed is what it takes for them to truly thrive. Unfortunately, without the proper care, they can end up becoming an eyesore.

There are three diseases and two common pests that commonly affect Leyland cypress evergreen trees.

Common Leyland Cypress Tree DiseasesCommon Leyland Cypress Tree Bugs
Blight
• Needles browning and dropping
• Begin on lower branches and move to branch tips
• Disease moves up tree over time
• Can cause all needles to turn brown, with green only seen on branch tips
Bagworms
• Loss of tree needles
• Slow tree growth
Canker
• Reddish-brown needles
• Thin, long sunken cankers (dry lesions) on trunk and branches
• Dark brown to purplish color on surrounding bark
• Disease expands & destroys a significant area of tree
Spider mites
• Yellow spots on tree needles
• Tree needles may brown, die, and fall off
• In severe cases, webbing may occur
Root Rot
• Drying roots due to poor drainage
• Little growth in foliage
• Foliage becomes thinly spread along tree
• Foliage can turn yellow, purple, or tan

>> Read how you can prevent tree bugs from infesting your evergreens

>> Learn more about common Leyland cypress issues and what you can do

>> Find out which evergreens we suggest for your privacy screen

Are you worried about your evergreen trees?

Reserve An Appointment Online
OR Call 703.573.3029

Are Evergreens Forever Green?

winter burn infected evergreen tree
Winter burns turn evergreen trees from beautiful assets to unfortunate eyesores.

USDA Forest Service – North Central Research Station , USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Unlike deciduous trees, evergreens typically continue photosynthesizing and working each needle of the tree, into the winter season. While slight needle drop is normal, evergreens usually stay visibly green and hold onto their needles longer than most other trees.

That said, if obvious browning is seen or there is a very noticeable drop in foliage, something is wrong.

Browning or excessive leaf drop can be caused by the previously listed disease and bugs. And if those stressors aren’t enough, evergreens are also hit with the cold, windy weather that comes with winter. This cycle is called desiccation, which leads to winter burn.   

Symptoms of Winter Burn:

  • Yellowing/browning of tree needles
  • Browning starting at tips of needles and edges of leaves moving into the center of the tree as it gets more severe.
  • Needles/leaves falling off of evergreens

While these symptoms don’t show up until late winter or early spring, what damage has been done can’t be reversed. This is why we recommend getting a head start on our Winter Protection Program.  

Benefits of our Winter Protection Program include:

  • Protection from winter burn (leaves browning & dying)
  • Prevention against drought stress
  • Protection from leaf scorch
  • Protection from root system issues
  • A brighter, shinier, and more polished look in trees
  • Protection from de-icing salt damage
  • Eco-Friendliness (it’s 100% Organic & Biodegradable!)

>> Learn more about Winter Burn and our Winter Protection Program


Evergreens, with their vast benefits and beauty, deserve to be celebrated every day.

That’s why, today on “Look For An Evergreen Day,” we urge you, before the holidays, to reflect on the beauty these trees really have to offer. (Yes, without all the decorations!) And if you’re fortune to own evergreens, be sure to proactively care for them and keep them flourishing.

Protect your Evergreen Trees Today

Reserve An Appointment Online
OR Call 703.573.3029

Primary Sidebar

Find a Certified Arborist in Your Area!

Google Reviews

Grey Burkhart
Grey Burkhart
March 29, 2022.
Verified
Very professional review of our requirements and an accurate estimate. Showed up on time and were finished quickly. Cleaned up all of the debris and sawdust. Great job all around.
Dennis Bruns
Dennis Bruns
March 8, 2022.
Verified
We have used RTEC Treecare for several years. They do excellent work. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable and take great care in explaining the various options available for your particular situation. I highly recommend them.
Annette Iannucci
Annette Iannucci
February 23, 2022.
Verified
We have been using RTEC for years and were very pleased with the recent tree maintenance work they did for us. As always, we got good advice from their arborist Ben,. The crew that did the work is highly skilled, and they did a great job trimming our trees. They worked safely and efficiently, in addition to leaving the yard clean after they finished the work.
Susan Crawford
Susan Crawford
January 26, 2022.
Verified
RTEC was at my house today to removed a large Magnolia that was badly damaged by the recent snow. They did a fantastic job at a very reasonable price. They arrived right on time, worked efficiently and quickly and cleaned up so well it was hard to tell anything have been disturbed. Over the past several years, I have used RTEC for all the services I checked above, and have always been very pleased with their service and professionalism. I also appreciate that they are not eager to take down trees that don't need to come down. In this case, the damage was too extensive for the tree to recover.
Kenton Morgan
Kenton Morgan
January 20, 2022.
Verified
Once again, RTEC has done a great job. The team showed up right on time and performed all the work that we agreed to. They kept us informed as to progress, coordinated with us concerning our maple, and made recommendations concerning ongoing support for our trees. At the end of the day, they thoroughly cleaned up the debris and left our yard in pristine condition. WELL DONE.
Jean Kluttz
Jean Kluttz
January 3, 2022.
Verified
Not our first time but this time was tricky removal of a large dead tree leaning on a healthy tree. Quick response for estimate, good timing to removal, all clear and healthy tree still fine.
Jerry Haggin
Jerry Haggin
December 16, 2021.
Verified
Very good work while ensuring that I was aware of status of my work order and planned completion.
Mike Iger
Mike Iger
December 16, 2021.
Verified
David Roberts
David Roberts
December 15, 2021.
Verified
We’ve used RTEC for many years for tree maintenance and can’t say enough good things about their service. We use them for tree trimming and for regular treatments to maintain our trees’ health and deal with pests and prevent disease. Their arborist Ben has been especially helpful with advice. RTEC also been especially helpful in emergency situations, once coming to cable a massive, heritage oak in our yard right before a hurricane was about to hit. Highly recommend.
Travis Larson
Travis Larson
December 10, 2021.
Verified
RTEC did an excellent job onsite of removing dead branches from our 80+ year old trees, and trimming other growth too close to our home.
Google rating score: 4.8 of 5, based on 185 reviews.

Resources Library

  • Tree Trimming
  • Tree Removal
  • Tree Maintenance
  • Tree Problems
  • Environmental Services
  • Seasonal Tree Care

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADDRESS:
2828 Mary Street
Falls Church, VA 22042

EMAIL: admin@rtectreecare.com
PHONE: 703.573.3029

Copyright © 2022 · RTEC Tree Care · All Rights Reserved

  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS
  • Privacy Policy
  • COOKIE POLICY