Why Are Orange Trees Painted White?
The trunk and branches of an orange tree, like other citrus, are susceptible to sunburn when exposed to direct sunlight. White paint works as a sunscreen to protect the parts of the tree not covered by natural shade. Does this Spark an idea?
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Features
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When allowed to grow naturally, orange tree branches reach the ground, providing the trunk with natural shade.
Pruning
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Pruning leaves the orange tree's trunk and limbs vulnerable to sunlight; however, pruning may be necessary in order to maintain the tree's size and to remove deadwood caused by illness, pests and cold.
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Leaf Dropping
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When the water supply is inadequate, orange trees can enter a semi-dormant state and drop their leaves, exposing areas of sensitive bark to the sun.
Prevention/Solution
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A mixture of one part water and one part white water-based non-enamel paint will protect exposed areas of the tree from getting too much sun.
Additional Information
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Along with white paint, other common forms of sun-protection for orange trees include tree wraps and newspaper tied around the trunk.
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References
- Photo Credit Orange tree image by Evgeny Berdjansky from Fotolia.com
