Whitewashing fruit trees in autumn: composition of the protective solution

Garden trees and plants are exposed to various diseases and harmful insects. pests must be constantly foughtOtherwise, the garden will eventually die. One effective method of protection is whitewashing the trees in the fall; the solution may vary for different types of vegetation.

The need for whitewashing trees

Bark protects plants from many negative factors. But over time, it begins to lose its protective properties as it hardens, peels, and cracks. To ensure an orchard produces fruit for many years to come, the condition of the tree bark must be constantly monitored. To achieve this, gardeners and horticulturists organize whitewashing of their vegetation.

Whitewashing of trees for the winter provides plants with protection from the following negative factors:

• sudden temperature changes that cause the bark to crack;
• frosts;
• sunburn during winter thaws and early spring;
• various diseases;
• pests living in the bark.

You may be interested in:

Timing of spraying trees and shrubs in spring against pests
There's a lot of work to do around the garden in the spring. This includes treating fruit trees and shrubs for…Read more…

Whitewashing garden vegetation can be done from the onset of spring until the end of autumn. Each gardener chooses the specific time for this. garden processingExperts recommend something similar the procedure should be performed several times a year:

• in the second half of the autumn period - the main whitewashing;
• at the beginning of the spring period - repeat treatment;
• in mid-summer - additional painting (if necessary).

The disadvantages of such autumn manipulations The following points can be highlighted:

• the protective lime layer applied to the bark quite early will be washed away by precipitation;
• Incorrect proportions of lime solution (high concentration of lime in the mixture) is one of the reasons for damage to the bark of young seedlings.

You may be interested in:

Spraying Urea in the Fall: How to Properly Treat Your Garden
Harvesting the garden is a joyful occasion. People reap the fruits of their labor and prepare food for the winter. After the harvest…Read more…

Solutions for plant treatment

To ensure that whitewashing your trees effectively protects them, you need to choose the right ingredients for the solution. A wide range of ready-made mixtures for treating different types of plants is available on the market today.

The main components of any mixture designed for painting tree bark are lime and clay. Ready-made, store-bought solutions are breathable. This is their main advantage, as the tree trunk will be able to breathe after treatment. However, they also have a drawback: store-bought mixtures don't last long.

If you've decided to prepare your own protective solution and are wondering what to use to whitewash trees in your garden in the fall, the following ingredients are recommended:

1. Slaked limeThis component is key to making a solution for whitewashing plant bark. Lime imparts a white color to the mixture, which protects the plant trunk from sunlight. Trees require this protection when they have no leaves, which is the period of late fall and early spring.
2. ChalkIf lime is unavailable, chalk can be used as a substitute; it will also provide a white color. However, it will wash away more quickly due to precipitation, requiring more frequent whitewashing. Chalk is a natural ingredient and is safer. Mixtures containing it are recommended for treating seedlings.
3. ClayThis natural element will help bind all the components of the solution together. Thanks to the clay, the protective mixture will not immediately run off the tree bark after application. This component will reliably seal all damage and cracks in the plant's bark, which are a gateway for various harmful insects.
4. GlueThis component can be used to bind all the components of the solution and to extend the protective effect of the whitewash. It is recommended to use woodworking, wallpaper, and casein adhesives. PVA glue can also be used, but the resulting protective film on the bark will not allow the air necessary to enrich the tree trunk with oxygen and moisture.
5. SoapLaundry soap can be used as a binding agent, making it an excellent substitute for clay and adhesive mixtures. This agent is safer for vegetation, but has a shorter shelf life.
6. FungicideTo prevent various plant diseases, it is recommended to include a fungicide in the lime solution. Copper sulfate is the most affordable and effective means of disinfecting plant bark. Bordeaux mixture and iron sulfate can also be used.
7. ManureMany recipes include manure in the whitewash mixture, which not only provides viscosity to the solution but also serves as a plant food and disinfectant.
8. Carbolic acidTrees need to be painted not only to protect them from the sun's rays but also to protect the bark from rodents. Carbonic acid has a strong odor that repels animals.

Rules for performing the procedure

There's a specific technique for whitewashing trees in the fall. Plants must first be prepared for protective treatment against plant diseases and harmful insects.

Preliminary preparation

In damp weather, it is necessary to clean the trunks of fruit trees (apple trees, pears, cherries, and others), as well as the lower sections of skeletal branches. At this stage, loose bark, moss, and lichen are removed. All work must be performed wearing protective gloves.

Do not use metal or plastic brushes, scrapers, or hard sponges to clear the garden, as they can damage healthy bark. Only a knife or a wooden stake, pre-made from wood, may be used. All diseased bark removed from the tree trunk must be burned. After clearing the vegetation, disinfect it. This procedure is best performed during a period when no precipitation is expected for several days.

Technology of implementation

After preliminary preparation of the garden's vegetation, you can begin the main work. To ensure a high-quality whitewashing of trees without damaging them, it is recommended to perform all procedures slowly and carefully. Carefully coat each section of the tree's bark to ensure the protective solution reaches every crevice and microcrack.

Paint the trunk from the bottom up. Be sure to avoid leaving large drops of the mixture on the bark, as they will fall off after drying. Apply not only to the trunk but also to the skeletal branches up to 30 cm high. It's not recommended to make the whitewash solution too thick, as thick layers of whitewash will immediately begin to fall off after drying, requiring re-whitewashing.

During the autumn, gardeners must carry out a wide range of activities on their property, including whitewashing fruit trees and other garden vegetation. If all work is completed promptly and efficiently, the vegetation will be reliably protected from adverse environmental influences, diseases, and attacks by harmful insects and rodents. Thanks to these efforts, fruit trees will reward their owners with a bountiful harvest the following year, and the garden will acquire a well-groomed and elegant appearance.