Whitewashing trees in autumn is a very responsible process, the importance of which not every gardener understands. Many are firmly convinced that these “white aprons” on trees are made exclusively for aesthetic enjoyment and to give the plant a neat appearance. However, this is not at all true.
With the correct conduct of autumn whitewashing, a kind of carapace is created on the
tree bark , which protects it from most types of pests and diseases. In addition, it creates excellent protection against temperature extremes and sunburn. Their danger lies in the fact that in December and February in the afternoon the sun can greatly heat the dark bark of a tree. From the rising temperature, the snow melts, and moisture begins to penetrate into the pores of the cortex. When the time of darkness comes and frost hits, the water freezes and, expanding, can cause significant damage to the plant. In spring, areas of the tree thus damaged become the target of various parasites and diseases. Whitewashing of trees in the autumn will help to avoid like any gardener. It can be carried out both on fruit garden trees, and on decorative coniferous plants of wood type.
Whitewashing garden trees
Such a procedure, if carried out correctly, helps any tree to heal the resulting cracks and wounds in the cortex, as well as to disinfect them. Whitewashing contributes to the death of most pathogens and pests, and also greatly increases winter hardiness and protection against burns.
Before proceeding with this procedure, the gardener must conduct some activities to prepare the plant. It is necessary to carefully clean the bark, lichens and moss exfoliated from the trunk. You need to do this with a metal brush or any other utility tool, however, you should be aware of certain care not to damage areas with healthy bark. During this procedure, experienced gardeners strongly recommend covering the space around the tree with burlap or plastic. This will help to easily collect the peeled and then burn it. Otherwise, the pests will remain wintering in the ground and with the first thaws will again begin to move to the tree. Whitewashing of fruit trees must be carried out after processing the stem with preparations containing copper. This will help disinfect it. You can also treat them with trunks, but it should be remembered that such an operation should be carried out only in dry weather.
Whitewashing trees in autumn: small tricks
So that during the winter-spring period, thaws and downpours do not wash off the applied lime from the tree trunk , you need to add a little yellow clay to the mixture. A good recipe for whitewashing is two kilograms of lime per clay kilogram and three hundred grams of copper or iron sulfate diluted in an ordinary garden bucket . Also, many experienced gardeners advise adding a small amount of flour paste to the solution.
It should be remembered that whitewashing trees in the fall will help protect the tree for about six months. In the spring, it must be corrected - and then the plant will be healthy and beautiful all year long.