Why Do Some People Paint Trees White?

If you've ever gone for a stroll in a public park or driven past an apple orchard, you may have noticed trees with white trunks. These painted white trees can be quite a mystery. Are they part of a piece of public art, or is there a more pragmatic reason for their paint? It turns out that painting trees white actually gives them protection against sun damage. Not only does the white paint act as a barrier between the sun's rays and the tree's bark, but because it is white, it actually helps reflect the rays and keeps the tree itself cooler. 

That's right, a tree's trunks and branches can be damaged by intense sun exposure. This is especially an issue for young trees. Instead of applying actual sunscreen to these burn-prone trees, though, landscapers will instead use diluted white indoor latex paint. This whitewash can be the difference between life and death for some saplings. The sun's rays itself can hurt the tree, and even worse, once trees are damaged they are more prone to being attacked by wood-boring insects. 

Knowing the protection and advantages that whitewash can provide trees, you may wonder if you should give your trees a coat of paint too. Whitewash isn't necessary for all trees, and trees that aren't growing in direct sun or are already mature and have thick bark likely don't require it. However, for younger trees, trees whose bark has been damaged, or those whose source of shade was recently removed, it may be wise to consider adding some whitewash.

It's easier to whitewash a tree than you may expect. Simply mix equal parts water and white latex interior paint. Then paint this mixture onto your vulnerable trees using a paint brush. While you may think of sun damage as a summer problem, many trees actually need whitewash the most during winter months, when their leaves aren't there to help protect them. 

Young fruit trees can especially benefit from being painted with white paint. If you don't like the look of the paint, you can also consider using a tree wrap on your damaged or vulnerable trees to help protect them from the sun.