Why are some trees painter white?
One of the best things about nature is that it’s always changing. Each season brings its distinctive colors, and with that comes joy and feelings of excitement. From pinkish blossoms to yellow leaves, nature is breathtaking all-year-round.
However, there are trees out there whose trunks are white, and that’s not because of the seasons, but because people paint them, and now you’ll learn why.
One of the reasons is because the white color protects the bark from sunscald, which is basically the plant version of sunburns, a condition that causes damage to the cambium layers and leads to dehydration. The white color acts like sunblock and prevents cracking.
In case the bark splits, it becomes more vulnerable to insects, fungus, and other diseases.
This painting is usually done during the winter when fluctuating temperatures from chilly nights to sunny days can damage the bark.
“This type of painting is typically done on thin-barked residential trees or orchards,” says Christopher Evans, extension forestry and research specialist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “Painting the trunks white is said to moderate the daytime heating of the bark and lessen the chances of sunscald injury.”
If damaged from sudden thaws and freezes, trees, especially those bearing fruit, are left in a vulnerable state. In cases of severe injury, the damage can be fatal and by applying heavy latex paint (or a specially designed formula) to a tree trunk can help protect trees from harsh winter weather.
