Why do tree trunks get painted white

Photos in co-op with Routaki routes. If you drive around Crete you will see many white tree trunks. You may think it is a typical Cretan way of tree decoration, but nothing could be further from the truth. Decoration is one of the reasons why tree trunks are painted white, but the main reason is that the Greeks believe that the white paint ensures that bacteria and vermin do not affect the trunk of the tree.

They assume that the white-painted parts ensure that ants and other vermin do not climb into the tree. Because of the paint these little animals stay on the ground and they cannot attack the trees, this keeps the trees healthy for longer. Another reason why the trees are painted white has to do with the heat and the sun on Crete.

Use a flat latex white paint. I paint up to the y on citrus trees or other trees. You can get a paint called tree trunk white that preserves your citrus as well as other trees. Here in Poland this is often done in late winter February to prevent sun scald. I have some trees in Bulgaria. I did nothing until I lost some apple trees to the bugs. But when my big walnut tree started going the same way I found out what locals painted their trees with.

It's called 'slow lime' as opposed to 'quick lime' It contains calcium oxide and magnesium oxide plus a few other goodies. I've now painted all my trees and will see what the result is next year. I was advised not to use latex paint. Bugs climbing up from the ground are better seen by birds and other bug eaters if they are on a white background. Bugs know this too and may avoid exposing themselves to predators. The reason why trees are painted with white at the bottom is to prevent cracks, and if the bark of trees fell down there is a possibility of them getting infected with a virus.

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Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more. Why do people paint some tree trunks white at the bottom? Ask Question. Asked 9 years, 3 months ago. When you paint the tree trunk with white latex paint diluted to half strength with water , you reduce the warming of the trunk during the day.

White is used because it is not harmful to the tree and is effective at reflecting sunlight to moderate changes in the temperature of the trunk. Larger branches exposed to direct sunlight may also be painted on the sunward side to protect them. Smaller branches may more effectively radiate heat and often accumulate less heat from sunlight, reducing their susceptibility to this disorder. More: Southwest Yard and Garden: How to prepare for emerald ash borer attack.

Southwest Yard and Garden: Guessing pollination strategy based on flower power. Southwest Yard and Garden: Planting your containerized Christmas tree. The trees most susceptible to southwest injury are those with thin bark, including young trees and some species, such as honey locust and apple trees.

The whitewash also prevents sunscald during the winter months on other types of trees that results in the death of the tissues on the side of the tree exposed to the most sunlight.

According to the Oregon State University Extension website, whitewash is a blend of salt, water and hydrated lime, or made by equal parts white exterior latex paint and water. Rachel Lovejoy has been writing professionally since and currently writes a weekly column entitled "From the Urban Wilderness" for the Journal Tribune in Biddeford, Maine, as well as short novellas for Amazon Kindle.