Ever wonder why some trees have their trunks painted white? Did you know that too much sun in the winter can damage young trees? According to the National Center for Appropriate Technology, sunscald can occur on cold winter days when the afternoon sun is high in the sky. Heat given off by the sun can “confuse” young trees, causing cells to become active during the day. After the sun sets and the temperatures drop, these cells die, causing bark to fall off the trunk. Painting tree trunks white or covering trunks with white material reflects sunlight, keeping the tree trunk from warming up on cold winter days.
Viewer Tip: Use crepe paper tree wrap sold in garden centers and nurseries to protect and insulate young trees on your property. Wrap the tree trunks with the paper, fasten with tape and remove in the spring.
Season: Winter
This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more: www.attra.ncat.org.
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