Many argue about why the whitewashing of trees is needed, and when to carry it out. Some argue that the main work should be done in the fall, while others prefer spring work. And about the month of processing, there is also no consensus.
When and for what
The main whitewashing of trees is made in autumn. Its purpose is to protect the bark from insects that decided to winter in it, and also use it as food. These works will save plantings from pests from the forest or fields that come in the cold season for food.
Whitewashing of trees saves from icing in large frosts. These works begin during snow melt. Experts say that whitewashing fruit trees in the spring is necessary as additional protection against pests that have not yet woken up and have not had time to do harm. It is necessary to protect plantings from the sun. In spring, it shines very strongly and can cause burns on the bark, which will lead to further diseases of the trees.
Preparation for work
In autumn, we clear the base of the trunk and the main branches, as well as the mushrooms from the old bark, moss, lichen. This is done with a chopper, dustpan or knife. We carry out this process with great accuracy. It is important not to harm living tissues when removing the old bark. All cleared places must finally be treated with garden var.
rules
The cleaning process and the time of the work described above. Whitewashing trees are more than three years old. Weather conditions play an important role, it should be dry and warm. In the afternoon, the temperature should be above zero. Whitewashing of trees is done with hydrated lime or special garden paint, which can be bought at the store. It should indicate that the treated surface will be able to "breathe". The composition of the product must necessarily include antiseptics and glue.
What to whiten
For such works, a large or small brush is used, depending on the size of the trunk. At large volumes, a spray is used, but such a tool increases the consumption of the mixture.
Harm from whitewashing
If lime is used in the work, one must know its shortcomings. And there are several of them. Such a solution dries the bark of trees. The added glue prevents the plantations from breathing, it completely clogs the pores on them. Together with harmful larvae and insects, both the defenders and the garden assistants are exterminated.
Cook and use the mixture.
Whitewashing for garden trees is prepared according to the following recipe: slaked lime - 2 kg, vitriol - 450 g, oily clay - 1 kg, water - 10 l. Everything is thoroughly mixed. The applied layer should be 3 mm thick. Some gardeners add a couple of shovels of cow manure to this solution in a bucket of the finished mixture. Branching places are laid by lumps of tow or burlap soaked in whitewash. Another recipe is used from forest pests: water-based paint - 2 kg (latex whitewash), karbofos - 30 g (slightly more than a tablespoon). When working with this drug, safety precautions are followed. It refers to poisons. Such trees are not affected by hares and mice. Processing is carried out and Bordeaux mixture. For its preparation in separate containers, it is bred in hot water: slaked lime - 1.5 kg per 5 l of water, copper sulfate - 250 g per 5 l. Carefully combine both formulations and mix thoroughly. In the absence of lime, it is replaced with ground chalk in combination with wood glue (100 g per liter), clay or cow dung.