SUNSCREEN FOR FRUIT TREES

THE AGE-OLD PROTECTIVE PRACTICE OF WHITEWASHING FRUIT TREES CONTINUES TODAY USING MODERN MATERIALS AND METHODS

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Painting the trunks and lower branches of fruit trees white may seem an unusual thing to do but the practice of whitewashing dates back to the orchards of ancient Greece and Rome. The tradition was revived in the 1800s to early 1900s and became widespread in many traditional farming communities worldwide. It’s still practised to the present day. The purpose of whitewashing is to provide protection from sunscald, various pests and diseases and frost damage. In this article we’ll explain how it works and how to do it yourself if you’d like to try it out. SUN PROTECTION Sunscald, or sunburn, is damage to tree bark caused by excessive exposure to hot, direct sunlight. The burnt bark, which appears split and cracked, is mostly seen on the northwest and west sides of the tree that…

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Good Organic Gardening (Digital) - 1 Issue, 14.6

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