If you’ve ever driven through an orchard, walked a suburban street in winter, or strolled past young trees lining a city sidewalk, you might have noticed something unusual:
Their trunks — painted white, like they’re dressed for a garden party.
At first glance, it looks artistic.
Maybe even festive.
Like the trees got ready for Halloween a little early.
But there’s no costume underneath.
That white paint?
It’s not decoration.
It’s protection .
And it serves a very important purpose — one that helps trees survive the harsh swings of winter.
Let’s explore why some trees are painted white — and how this simple trick acts as nature’s sunscreen .The Hidden Danger: Winter Sunscald
You might think cold weather is the biggest threat to trees in winter.
But surprisingly, sunlight can be just as dangerous — especially during sunny winter days.
Here’s what happens:
Here’s what happens:
During the day, sunlight warms the bark of a tree trunk — especially on the south and west sides (where sun exposure is strongest).
This warmth tricks the tree into thinking spring is coming — so it starts to activate its cells.
But when night falls and temperatures plunge below freezing …
Those active cells freeze and burst , causing the bark to crack, split, or peel .
This condition is called sunscald — and it can:
Damage the tree’s protective layer
Invite pests and disease
Stunt growth or even kill young trees
And once the damage is done?
There’s no going back.
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