Have you ever driven past a row of trees and noticed that the bottom of their trunks was painted bright white?
At first, it might look decorative—or even a little strange. But in many cases, that white coating has a very practical purpose.
It is known as whitewashing, and people have used the technique for generations to help protect certain trees from environmental damage.
It’s Not Just for Decoration
One of the main reasons tree trunks are painted white is to protect the bark from sunburn or sunscald.
Young trees are particularly vulnerable because their bark is thinner and receives less natural shade from a mature canopy. Strong sunlight can heat the exposed trunk, while a sudden drop in temperature can cause the bark to expand and contract rapidly. Over time, this can lead to cracking and other damage.
The white surface reflects sunlight instead of absorbing as much of
