Whitewashing trees is one of the main steps in garden maintenance. Most gardeners use a lime mortar for this. Why to whitewash trees and when to do it, you can find out from this article.
Why whitewash trees?
Inexperienced summer residents may think that whitewashing is carried out only so that the garden has a more aesthetic appearance. Of course, neatly planted trees with white trunks look very good. But, first of all, lime performs a protective function against such unfavorable factors:
- Sunburn. In winter, when there is snow, the sun's rays are reflected from it. Because of this, more ultraviolet radiation gets on the bark, which can harm the tree.
- Temperature drops. In autumn and spring, daytime and nighttime temperatures are strong. This often leads to undesirable consequences. For example, after heating the crust and subsequent rapid cooling, cracks may appear.
- Pests. Lime prevents insects and their larvae from penetrating into the bark.
What trees can be whitewashed?
Some gardeners believe that young trees should not be whitened, as they still have thin bark, which can be damaged. In fact, experts recommend whitewashing all trees, as they need protection from various negative factors. But at the same time, it is advisable to whiten young specimens not with lime, but with other substances. The best solution in this case would be the use of water-based paint. It is also quite effective. The price of paint is much higher than that of lime, but the risk of damaging the young bark is completely absent.
What lime to use
People have long found ways to use mountain limestone for various purposes. Previously, it was often used for the manufacture of cementitious solutions, but eventually lime found its place in the agricultural industry. Slaked lime is used for whitewashing.
To obtain slaked lime, quicklime and water are mixed. A very violent reaction occurs, during which a lot of heat is released. The temperature can go up to +150 degrees. Therefore, the procedure should be performed carefully, observing safety measures. It is advisable to carry out all manipulations with goggles and gloves.
Limestone pieces or powder are placed in a deep metal container, after which cold water is poured into it. To get fluff, you need to observe the ratio of 1 to 1. A reaction will immediately begin, in which the mixture will heat up and splash. The whole process can take up to 1 hour. You need to wait until the reaction is completely completed, then mix everything with a stick.
To get milk of lime, you need to mix 1 part of limestone and 3 parts of water.
Formulation recipes
The standard recipe for whitewashing for trees includes the following components:
- 2.5 kg of fluff (slaked lime);
- 1 bucket of water;
- 5 tablespoons flour paste (you can replace 10 tbsp. l. soap shavings).
It is necessary to extinguish lime 2 hours before preparing the solution. So the resulting product will best fight diseases and pests.
Whitewashing made using copper sulphate has also proven itself well. To prepare the composition, you should take:
- 300 g of copper sulfate;
- 2 kg of freshly slaked lime;
- 10 liters of water.
When is it better to whiten
It is advisable to whitewash trees 2 times a year: in spring and autumn. The main one is considered to be autumn whitewashing, and spring is necessary for the renewal of the layer, which was washed off during the winter.
In autumn, whitewashing is carried out after the foliage has fallen off. The most suitable temperature is 4-5 degrees. It is important to have time to do everything before the snow falls. The procedure is performed on a dry day.
Spring processing is usually carried out at the end of March, when the snow has already melted. It is desirable that the air temperature be above +5 degrees. It is important to carry out the procedure before the leaves begin to bloom. With the arrival of the thaw, pests begin to wake up, so there will be no point in whitening.
Procedure execution
Basic whitewashing recommendations:
- In young seedlings, it is advisable to whitewash only the lower part, the rest is wrapped in light material.
- In fruit-bearing trees, not only the trunk is whitened, but also the skeletal branches.
- When processing old trees, you first need to remove the peeling bark, as it can contain various pathogenic microorganisms.
The lime consumption rate depends on the size of the tree. The solution should be applied in 2-3 layers. Wait until the previous coat is completely dry between applications.
Read also: To help beginner gardeners: common mistakes when pruning grapes
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