BTW I am in SE Minnesota, Zone 4b, soil is clay amended with compost, trees on drip-line irrigation. We did have a few very cold weeks this winter with sporadic snow.

Could be winter burn. You might want to add the Conifer and Trees forums for more responses.

tj

Are you sure the plantings are receiving deep consistent water especially while getting established? Sloped beds can drain fast. If you (gently) dig down 6 inches around the roots is the soil moist after watering?

Is the black tubing running through the center of the bed the only drip line or does the drip line encircle each planting?

Where are you located? How long are you running the drip zone and how frequently?

I'm in zone 4b. The black tubing in the picture is the main line, there are smaller drip lines circling each tree. I think the problem may be extraordinary winter burn this year. I just found this article: https://tcagenda.com/2026/winter-burn-give-evergreens-chance/

Don’t rely on drip irrigation without digging six inches into the rootball to make sure water is getting there.

tj