Why Do
They
Paint
the
Bottom
of Trees
White?
If you
have
ever
noticed
around
Costa
Rica
many
trees
with the
trunk
painted
white
and
wondered
why
someone
would go
to the
trouble;
there
may be a
good
reason.
The
white
painted
bottom
is
rarely a
decorative
statement
or an
attempt
to make
the tree
more
aesthetically
pleasing.
It is,
however,
a
practice
that can
potentially
save the
life of
the
tree.
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This
practice
is
common
in
Costa
Rica and
Latin
America,
but
almost
impossible
to get
straight
answer
as to
why.
Trees
can
benefit
from a
coating
of white
paint
when
recent
landscaping
has
entailed
the
removal
of a
larger
tree
that
once
provided
shade
for
another,
or the
excessive
removal
of
branches
has left
a tree
barren
and its
trunk
exposed
to the
sun's
rays.
Sunscald
The bark
of trees
is just
as
susceptible
to sun
damage
as is
human
skin.
Too much
hot sun
directed
onto a
tree
trunk
day
after
day may
not
leave
behind a
sun burn
but it
will
cause
damage
to the
bark
that
will
become
noticeable
over
time.
Sunscald
is
denoted
by bark
that
cracks
and
falls
off, or
simply
changes
colour.
Wrapping
the tree
with a
specially
designed
trunk
cover or
painting
the tree
trunk
can
prevent
sun
damage.
Bores
A tree
borer is
an
insect
that
tunnels
underneath
the bark
of a
tree and
cause
severe
damage
to the
underlying
layers
of the
tree.
Adult
tree
boring
insects
will
even lay
eggs
under
the
bark;
leaving
larva to
chomp
away at
the
phloem
(nutrient-transporting
layer)
of the
tree.
According
to the
University
of
California,
a large
infestation
of tree
borers
feeding
on a
single
tree can
result
in
damage
that can
only be
rectified
by heavy
pruning
or
removal
of the
tree.
Tree
boring
insects
often
seek out
trees
with the
weakest
outer
protection,
so
painting
trees
that are
susceptible
to
sunscald
can
prevent
bark
damage
and keep
tree
borers
at bay.
Animal
Damage
Painting
the
trunks
of trees
is also
helpful
in
deterring
furry,
four-legged
vermin.
There
are some
wild
animals
that
feast on
tree
bark,
causing
severe
damage
to the
trees
that
become
their
daily
lunch.
According
to the
University
of
Vermont,
adding a
small
amount
of
repellent
to the
white
paint
can
prevent
hungry
animals
from
gnawing
on tree
bark.
Misconceptions
Contrary
to
popular
belief,
you do
not need
to use
white
paint to
protect
a tree
trunk.
In fact,
any
light-color
paint
can be
used.
What is
important,
though,
is the
type of
paint
used.
Latex
based
paint
that is
used to
paint
the
interior
of your
home is
sufficient,
but if
you want
to be
"green"
use
paint
that has
an
organic
base.
Never
use an
exterior
paint
because
it
contains
fungicides
that can
harm the
tree.
Road
Safety
Some
roadside
trees
are
painted
with
reflective
paint to
enhance
visibility
to
drivers.
This is
purely a
road
safety
measure.
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