Trees are incredibly flexible and resilient, protecting us and a variety of other animals. Young trees require time to develop strength and resistance. They may want some assistance from us in the first few years. Tree trunk painting is a historical technique for sealing and protecting tree trunks. In this article, let’s find out more about why people would resort to painting tree trunks white.
Why Are People Painting Tree Trunks White?
In orchards and tree farms, painting tree trunks white is a time-honored practice of protecting new trees. There are various reasons for this, and we will list them down here.
1. People are Painting Their Tree Trunks White for the Protection of Young Bark
We’ll construct a comparison like this to obtain a clearer sense of what bark means.
Consider how a tree’s bark is analogous to human skin. The bark’s principal function is to act as a protective coating, shielding the wood from harmful external forces. Negative impacts include the sun, rain, snow, and a variety of other weather conditions and difficulties. The bark of the tree also protects it from unwanted insect infestations.
According to a University of Missouri Extension website, the painted white trunk will assist in reflecting sunlight during the day. And it will keep the tree warmer at night.
Painting tree trunks white not only safeguards trees against rodent infestations, but it will also protect the tree from other bacteria and organisms that settle on the tree trunk and cause damage. The white tint chosen for the tree’s bark serves the same purpose: it protects the bark from all unwanted impacts.
All gardeners and plant care experts agree that painting the trunks of young trees, especially during the winter, is critical. This is important since the bark of young trees has not yet formed and does not provide adequate protection. It leaves the tree trunk vulnerable to cold waves and negative temperatures during the winter.
We must ensure that the tree’s bark is protected, in order for the tree to survive the weather. This can be accomplished by dyeing the tree’s bark.
So, one of the reasons why people paint tree trunks white is to protect the bark.
2. For Sun Production – Another Reason Why People are Painting Tree Trunks White
Another reason people paint tree trunks white is to protect them from sunlight. It is effective at reflecting sunlight to moderate temperature variations in the trunk. Not only that, when the sun shines on white-painted tree trunks, it acts as a pesticide. It prevents insects from burrowing into the trunk.
To protect larger branches that are exposed to direct sunlight, they should be painted on the sunward side.
3. If painting tree trunks white is acceptable, can we also paint them lime?
Painting fruit tree trunks with a thick coat of lime and water is also a traditional way. It helps to protect them from heat and the sun. To extend the life of the coating, the lime and water are heated. Painting tree trunks white is called whitewashing.
The white paint will reflect sunlight, keeping the bark cooler. To prevent the bark from being killed by sudden temperature changes, some tree trunks are painted with white latex paint. It sure comes in handy during late fall and winter.
How to Do It Properly: Painting Tree Trunks White
Remember that the method may do more harm than good if not done properly. Not all paints are suitable for use on trees. Water-based latex paint is the proper product to use. Diluting the paint at the proper rate is advisable. The ideal mix is one gallon of latex paint to four or five quarts of water. Never use oil-based paint because it prevents the tree from breathing.
Some latex paints may contain additives that are toxic to plants; always check ahead of time. To be sure you’re using the right kind of paint, look for latex paint with an organic base.
If you notice rodents eating your young trees, mix a rodent repellent into the latex paint to prevent gnawing.
Apply it liberally to the trees using a paintbrush, once your latex paint has been thoroughly mixed. Spraying does not provide adequate coverage and does not allow the paint to adhere to the bark well.
In most cases, one coat is sufficient. Two coats may be required to adequately cover the tree in other cases.
Whitewashing a Tree
When you see rows of orchard trees with matching painted trunks, it may appear overly fussy. Remember, whitewashing isn’t a decorative process. Because white reflects the sun’s rays, it prevents tree trunks from absorbing too much heat in the winter. As a result, it helps to prevent sun scald. Like a sunburn on a tree trunk, this condition can harm and even kill the wood it affects.
What Causes Sun-Scald?
In the northern parts of the country, where temperatures drop below freezing, trees go dormant in the winter. This indicates that the tree is sleeping, conserving energy, and not growing at all.
When a strong winter sun shines on one side of a tree trunk, it can warm the surface of the bark. Hence, it will wake up the cells in that area. This causes them to require moisture, which the rest of the tree can not provide. As a result, the tree’s lively parts dehydrate and die.
Whitewashing Materials Required
The majority of tree whitewashing projects are no more difficult than painting a decorative rock. You will require the following items:
- A bucket of water
- some white exterior latex paint
- a stirring stick, and a paintbrush
Getting Ready to Whitewash
- Combine 50 percent white latex paint and 50 percent water in a mixing bowl.
- The precise measurements will be determined by the number of trees you intend to whitewash.
- Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until it is smooth and combined.
- Brush the trunk to remove soil and loose bark fragments.
- Clear the area around the tree.
- Remove any branches or large rocks to make it safe to walk around without tripping.
Whitewashing the Trunk:
- Dip the brush into the paint mixture and apply a thin coat to the tree’s trunk.
- Begin at the base of the tree and work your way up to where the first branches appear.
- As you whitewash, keep stirring the paint mixture.
- Allow the whitewash to dry completely.
- After the first coat has dried, stir the paint again and apply another coat.
- A third coat isn’t usually necessary.
- But if you still see bark underneath the first two coats, let the second dry before applying a third.
Advice and Suggestions:
- If the tree’s bark is very rough, thin the paint mixture with extra water for the first coat. By doing so, it can easily seep between the cracks in the bark.
- Dispose of leftover whitewash responsibly, following the instructions on the paint can.
- If major tree limbs are exposed to the south, whitewash them as well.
- Dip the brush into the paint mixture and apply a thin coat to the tree’s trunk.
Conclusion
Trees are extremely beneficial to both humans and the environment. Numerous studies have found that the presence of trees and urban nature can improve people’s mental and physical health, children’s attention and test scores, neighborhood property values, and other factors. Trees help to keep our cities cool. Trees are essential to the health of communities and individuals.
Extra care from humans is unquestionably necessary, even if it’s true that trees are resilient. We care for our fragile houseplants, so why not care for the young trees until they grow enough to be resilient? Given that trees provide us with shade, fruit to eat, and beauty to admire, we must also do our part to protect them.
I hope this article helps to shed some light on why people paint tree trunks white. It is not only safe when done correctly, but it also helps to protect the tree. Isn’t it aesthetically pleasing to see a line of trees painted white?
Speaking of white and paint, do you ever wonder why painters wear white?
