Winter burn refers to the browning and drying of the leaves or needles of evergreen plants during winter. This condition mainly results from environmental stress, often caused by a shortage of moisture in the plant's tissues. When evergreens lose water faster than they can absorb it—usually due to dry, windy conditions—winter burn can occur. Notably, a study found that evergreens might experience a moisture loss rate of up to 60% in harsh winter conditions.