Whitewashing trees in autumn is a very responsible process, the importance of which is not understood by every gardener. Many are firmly convinced that these “white aprons” on trees are made solely for aesthetic pleasure and to give the plant a neat look. However, this is not the case at all.
With proper autumn whitewashing, a kind of shell is created on the bark of a tree, protecting 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 during the day the sun can greatly heat the dark bark of the tree. From the risen temperature, the snow melts, and moisture begins to penetrate into the pores of the bark. When it gets dark and frost hits, the water freezes and, expanding, can cause significant damage to the plant. In the spring, areas of the tree damaged in this way become the target of various parasites and diseases. Whitewashing trees in the fall will help any gardener avoid this. It can be carried out both on fruit gardenstrees, and on ornamental coniferous trees.
Washing garden trees
Such a procedure, when carried out correctly, helps any tree to heal the resulting cracks and wounds in the bark, as well as 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 carry out some activities to prepare the plant. It is necessary to carefully clean the bark exfoliated from the trunk, lichens and moss. This should be done with a metal brush or any other utility tool, but you should be careful not to damage areas with he althy bark. During this procedure, experienced gardeners strongly recommend covering the space around the tree with burlap or film. This will help to easily collect the cleaned and then burn it. Otherwise, the pests will remain to winter 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 trunk with preparations containing copper. This will help to disinfect it. You can also process them with trunk circles, but remember that such an operation should only be carried out in dry weather.
Washing trees in autumn: little tricks
So that during the winter-spring period, thaws and showers do not wash awaylime applied from a tree trunk, you need to add a little yellow clay to the mixture. A good recipe for whitewashing is two kilograms of lime diluted in an ordinary garden bucket for one kilogram of clay and three hundred grams of copper or iron sulfate. Also, many experienced gardeners advise adding a small amount of flour paste to the solution.
It should be remembered that whitewashing trees in autumn will help protect the tree for about six months. In the spring, it must be corrected - and then the plant will be he althy and beautiful all year round.
