Planted a few young peach trees last year and so far they are doing very well. The trees are 4 years old this spring and the gowers indicated that to prevent sunblight on the bark I needed to paint the bark with a white colored paint. I do trust this grower but have hardley ever seen the large peach orchards up in South Georgia paint their trees.... sooooo

Being in Florida (with possibly higher sunlight exposure than South GA), should I paint my young trees? If so, what type of paint.. latex, oil based, what?

Thanks! Otter

-- otter360 (kitchen@eng.fsu.edu), April 22, 2002

Answers

I would recommend painting the trees, and not just orchard trees. Also keep them painted in the winter too.

A latex is what should be used. Could even be watered down.

-- Notforprint (Not@thekeyboard.com), April 22, 2002.

we've used all kinds of white house paint, we water it down, works fine in CA. lacyj

-- lacyj (hillharmony@hotmail.com), April 22, 2002.

Sunscald usually happens in winter to thin barked trees on their south side. On some winter days that low angle sun will warm up the bark and cambium under it and then when the sun goes behind a cloud or sets, it refreezes and kills the cambium causing wounding to the stem. Paint might help but bark wrap would be better. Remove it during the growing season or bugs can get under it.

-- Susan in MO (smtroxel@socket.net), April 22, 2002.