All about whitewashing trees with lime

Despite the fact that nature has endowed trees with the ability to protect themselves from most harmful factors, it cannot provide them with reliable protection from all negative spheres of influence.

The bark for trees is their natural skin, therefore it plays an extremely important role. It is she who allows nutrients to move along the trunk, providing the tree with life-giving power. In order to ensure maximum protection of the bark, it is necessary to carry out timely whitewashing, which will protect the trunk from sunlight and other negative factors. The main component of almost any product is lime, which is affordable and highly effective.

Novice summer residents believe that whitewashing trees is necessary to ensure an attractive appearance of the garden. Of course, neatly planted trees with white trunks look very elegant, but lime and copper sulfate provide reliable protection of the bark from many harmful factors.

• Burns. During the winter season, the sun's rays are reflected in the snowdrifts, making the bark vulnerable to high temperatures.

• Temperature changes. In spring and autumn, the air temperature during the day and at night varies greatly, which can lead to negative consequences. For example, after heating, a sharp cooling of the wood surface occurs, which leads to the appearance of cracks.

• Pests. Insects and their larvae constantly attack representatives of the flora, and the presence of whitewash does not allow them to penetrate into the bark. Lime in this case is an excellent chemical composition for protection against such pests.

There is an opinion that young fruit trees cannot be whitened, since you can only harm the trunk with an even thin bark. However, in practice, things are a little different. It is necessary to whitewash all trees without exception, since each one needs to provide protection from the effects of sunlight and moisture. The only difference is that it is best not to whitewash young trees with lime, as it can be harmful.

There are a huge number of varieties of lime on the market, so close attention must be paid to the selection process. Only in this case can you be sure that the product used can protect the tree and not harm it.

In horticulture today, calcium, slaked and quicklime is actively used. It should be noted that this product is obtained by firing carbonate rocks. Depending on the processing, it can be magnesian, dolomite, slaked, quicklime, with and without various additives. That is why the product is used in almost all industries, including construction.

Very often, various other substances are included in the composition of such whitewashing, including copper sulfate and adhesive components. The main disadvantage of such a tool is its high cost, which significantly exceeds the price of ordinary lime.

In second place is slaked lime, which is sold in bags and is very often also called hydrated lime. It received a similar name due to the fact that it is distinguished by its white color and friable granules. This product is quite simple in the reconstitution process, and the resulting solution can be used immediately. The only drawback is that it is extremely difficult to store it, and very often there are fakes on the market that are not highly effective.

The most effective and popular today is quicklime, which is actively used to whitewash trees and is famous for its economy in the process of application.

Before use, quicklime must be extinguished without fail, since without this it will not be possible to make a suitable solution. When the water is added, a chemical reaction will take place, resulting in extremely high heat generation. That is why it is necessary to carry out the entire process on the street and take care of protective equipment. In some cases, splashes may fly that can burn human skin.

This process is somewhat similar to boiling. That is why all protective measures should be taken to prevent burns to the skin or eyes.

The lime slaking process is as follows:

• cold water is collected in the bucket, which will need about 5 liters per kilogram of product;

• lime should be poured into a bucket in small portions to prevent a sharp thermal reaction;

• the chemical reaction begins almost immediately after the powder has been introduced;

• the bucket is covered with a lid until the bubbling stops;

• after the end of the sulfur reaction, the solution will turn white significantly, and before use it will be necessary to let the product brew for about two days.

One of the most important points is the slaked lime dilution process. To whitewash trees, it will be enough just to dilute it with water in equal proportions. The choice of the amount of liquid depends on how the whitewashing will be carried out. If a brush is used for this, then a thick solution is needed, but when using a spray, a more liquid agent is needed.

Anyone can make a lime-based whitewashing solution with their own hands, however, you must strictly follow the instructions and recipe. Of course, the main component of any such whitewashing is lime. However, in order to achieve an optimal result, it is necessary to add various components to it.

• Adhesives. It is they who ensure the fixation of the whitewash on the tree trunk and do not allow it to wash off. It is best to choose natural ingredients in the form of clay or paste. However, if necessary, you can use PVA or other maximum resistant glue.

• Fungicides in the form of copper sulfate or copper sulfate, which are necessary in order to protect the tree from fungus. In addition, such solutions perfectly disinfect injuries and significantly accelerate the process of restoring the surface of the bark.

• Laundry soap or ash. Perfect for combating lichens and other similar organisms.

One of the most popular whitewashing recipes is to use 8 liters of water, 200 g of copper sulfate and a kilogram of slaked lime. If desired, you can also add a kilogram of manure, which will provide the solution with excellent fixation.

If you need to save as much as possible, you can simply dilute 3 kg of lime and 3 kg of clay in 10 liters of water, which is quite enough to process a whole garden.

Before adding copper sulfate, it must be dissolved in a small amount of warm water. This will prevent an overly active chemical reaction of the addition of all components. In addition, this will give the final product a homogeneous finish, which greatly simplifies application.

Among the recommendations for whitewashing tree trunks are the following:

• for young seedlings, it is best to whitewash the lower part, and wrap the rest with white material;

• fruiting trees must be whitewashed completely, including skeletal branches;

• when processing old trees, you first need to get rid of the flaking bark, which may contain various harmful microorganisms.

The consumption rate of dry chalk or lime depends on the composition of the solution, as well as the size of the trees. It is enough to direct the solution once and then by eye it will be possible to determine the optimal amount of the product for dilution and use.

Thus, lime is the best way to whitewash trees. With a competent approach, it will be possible to ensure reliable protection of the tree from the negative effects of sunlight and other weather phenomena, as well as from pests and fungal diseases.