Sunscald

[davidwyby]

As a kid I remember thinking this area was weird because everyone had their trees painted. It fell out of popularity and now every tree whose canopy doesn’t shade the west side of the trunk is fried. Started posting on various local fb groups to increase awareness.

 

[levi r]

Interesting. I have seen that before as well while passing through your part of the country but never thought twice about it. Sunscald is a huge problem here, I am going to read a bit about this whitewash. Though I am skeptical initially, especially the part about latex paint. Seems like that could mess up the lenticels and what not functioning of the bark?

 

[davidwyby]

 

[levi r]

Yeah, I saw that. But the sources are facebook and bob vila. I did read a bit and found nothing to say it's bad. The most credible source seemed to be the California university ag research page. I'm surprised I've never seen it here as sunscald is huge here. Tree wrapping is definitely a thing. I am going to ask the CSU extension tomorrow and see what they think about it.

If it's legit I would definitely offer it as a service. Climbing around in a tree with some paint sounds fun. We get lots of sun scalded tops on maples or many other thin bark trees here.

 

[cory]

I never heard of it but it makes sense

 

[Patrick A]

Apple orchards do it. The other way the protection is done is by using PVC tubes. The problem is rodents like to make a house at the bottom of the tubes

 

[cory]

Maybe keep the tubes suspended a couple inches off the ground like I seen em do with plastic mesh used to keep buck deer from rubbing off the bark

 

[flushcut]

I don’t think I have ever seen a whitewashed tree here, ever. I have seen sunscald on trees that have had heavy canopy work or storm damage, mostly young ornamental trees.

 

[friedrich]

it‘s common around here, young trees or suddenly exposed beech trees get painted.

 

[Kaveman]

Yeah, I saw that. But the sources are facebook and bob vila. I did read a bit and found nothing to say it's bad. The most credible source seemed to be the California university ag research page. I'm surprised I've never seen it here as sunscald is huge here. Tree wrapping is definitely a thing. I am going to ask the CSU extension tomorrow and see what they think about it.

If it's legit I would definitely offer it as a service. Climbing around in a tree with some paint sounds fun. We get lots of sun scalded tops on maples or many other thin bark trees here.

Negative Ghostrider. That's a great way to ruin your harness and gear with sloppy crap, trash your rope, gum up your climbing device or hitch.

Trunks are one thing, painting tops is another matter.

Ever used wound-seal aloft? That crap gets EVERYWHERE!

 

[cory]

Ever used wound-seal aloft? That crap gets EVERYWHERE!

Sounds like using Never-Seize- word is just put some on your hands and clothes before you start just to get it over with