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How to Paint Trees White
Keep in mind, that painting young trees white is a long-used method of protection, but some experts question its effectiveness. Yes, the paint can help prevent young bark from overheating, but the wrong kind of paint can severely damage the plant. Therefore, it’s important to choose the right product, which is water-based latex paint diluted to the ratio of one-gallon latex with four or five quarts of water. You may also want to use a rodent repellent to prevent rabbits and other animals from gnawing on the trees.
Do not use oil-based paint since this will lock in the bark and prevent the tree from absorbing oxygen. Also, look for paint with an organic base to avoid additives that could hurt the plants. And it doesn’t have to be white; any light color will work, but be sure to avoid darker shades that will take in extra heat and worsen the sunscald.
Now that you have the ideal paint mixture, use a paintbrush to apply it. Sprays don’t stick to the bark as well and don’t provide enough protection. And don’t worry about a perfect paint job. One coat should work unless the weather conditions are severe. Additionally, if you live in areas with extreme weather, you’ll need to reapply the paint once a year. But overall, white paint is an easy and effective way to protect young trees as they grow taller and stronger.
