Why trees are whitewashed with lime

Now, in almost all gardens, you can see trees with whitewashed trunks. Some people who are not fond of plant growing may think that this is only done to give a beautiful look to the tree. Indeed, when the trunk of a plant is whitewashed, it looks much more elegant and well-groomed. Even the garden as a whole becomes more attractive when the tree trunks are bright white. But in reality, such measures are applied not only from an aesthetic point of view. Let's see why trees are whitewashed.

Why are tree trunks whitewashed

We all know that bark protects the tree from damage and pests. It provides reliable protection to the plant, protecting it from external influences on the plant. But sometimes, in order for the plant to be under reliable protection, the properties of its bark are not enough. Whitewashing can help keep the plant safe!

One of the main advantages of whitewashing is that it maintains the integral shape of the tree bark, protects it from external damage. During off-season or winter temperature fluctuations, the bark of the tree is prone to cracking, during this period, plants are less resistant to diseases and pests. Whitewashing helps keep the bark intact and fills in small cracks where harmful insects can settle. During the period when trees are deprived of their dense foliage, they are exposed to strong sunlight. Trees with whitewashed trunks have a much lower risk of bark damage or fatal burns, because the white color perfectly repels sunlight.

Whitewashing is great for helping and protecting tree trunks!

Why whitewash trees in the city

One of the most important measures for preparing trees for the winter period is whitewashing the trunks in the fall. And in spring, trees are treated with whitewashing not only for protective functions, but also for beauty!

What to use?

Nowadays, in any gardening store you will find a large assortment of paints for whitewashing trees. It is beneficial to use specialized materials, because they are less susceptible to weather conditions and will last you longer. Usually garden paints can last for several years. But lime has long been used to whitewash trees! This material is accessible and familiar to use. Until now, many gardeners prefer lime to store competitors.

It is easy to prepare a solution for treating garden trees, you need to mix lime with water in an equal ratio. As lime dissolves, it releases a lot of heat and looks like a boiling liquid. It is very important to take precautions. Be sure to protect your eyes from the solution, wear glasses, and gloves on your hands. To make the process easier for yourself, you can buy an already prepared solution, its cost is very low.

Some summer residents add copper sulfate to the solution to combat pests. Fresh slaked lime acts best on insects and fungal diseases, so it is better to prepare the solution immediately before use. Even the next day, its properties will no longer be as effective. It should be remembered that young trees need to be treated with a less concentrated solution than adults, that is, more water will be required for young trees.

How is the process going?

You need to start by treating the tree trunk, it is necessary to remove the old layer of bark, moss and lichens.Usually older plants require such a procedure. Remember that you cannot damage the bark of the tree, everything must be done carefully, without excessive effort. An old, rough washcloth is suitable for work, and cracks can be cleaned with a dull knife.

It is advisable to process the tree trunk before whitewashing. You can use soapy water or vitriol. In gardening stores, you can purchase special pastes with which you need to treat cracks in the bark of a tree. Now that you have done everything, you can start whitewashing the tree. To do this, you need a regular molar brush. If you have a lot of trees in your garden, it will be convenient to use a sprayer.

There is still no consensus about the height to which trees should be whitewashed. Some summer residents stubbornly insist that you need to whitewash trees to the height to which you can reach the maximum, others argue that you need to whitewash up to the first branches, and there are those who believe that the optimal height is one and a half meters. According to experts, the height of the whitewash does not matter at all. Experts say that it is important to whitewash the trunk, as well as all fairly thick branches.

Why trees are whitened in spring and autumn

Not only the trunk of a tree can be subject to destruction, but also large branches are seriously affected by external factors. The bark of the branches can crack, as well as on the trunk, from temperature fluctuations and exposure to harmful insects. We recommend that your garden trees be whitewashed regularly. This is a long known and very effective measure to protect your trees from destruction and disease. Planting and growing a new plant is much more difficult and longer than protecting an already growing tree from death. It is enough to whiten trees once every few years using any of the methods described. Now you should not be left with a question about why trees are whitewashed.