Whitewashing of trees in spring: the composition of whitewash

Some time ago, the whitewashing of trees in the spring was a traditional event of the April Subbotniks. For this reason, perhaps some summer gardeners are starting from this event: the elegant trees seem to proclaim the end of the winter. But there are other opinions, according to which the solution interferes with the normal development of plants during the awakening period after winter, and therefore the whitewashing of garden trees in the spring is more for beauty, and not for profit.

Why you need to whiten trees

Treatment of trees with special solutions is performed to protect the bark from a variety of external stress factors such as sun, frost and waking garden pests. Therefore, it is possible to bleach the trees for treatment and prevention twice a year.

When it is necessary to whiten trees

Only the autumn whitewash is able to fulfill its main purpose to the fullest and help such trees as apple trees and cherries to winter. It should be carried out at a time when the leaves have already been discarded, but there is still no snow and frost (usually in the second half of October or a little later). Choose a sunny day, so that the paint can dry quickly and not be washed away.

Since there are few trays for whitewashing that stay on the trees long enough, it is very desirable to whitewash the trees in the spring. It is necessary to conduct it in March or early April. This allows not only to protect the bark from the strong spring rays of the sun, but also help to cope with some harmful overwintering insects.

How it works correctly Whitewashing of trees. Cleaning the trunk

Old trees usually have a very heterogeneous crust covered with various cracks, outgrowths, furrows, moss, etc. Such a surface is very white, and the solution can last not so long. Therefore, for the health of trees and for the convenience of whitewashing, the trunk should be cleaned. For these purposes, special scrapers are on sale, but you can also use conventional fabric gloves. They will make it possible to clean the bark of trees with sufficient care and without any damage. Performing the work with a metal scraper is slightly easier, but great care is needed, since it is possible to clean off accidentally and healthy bark.

During the cleaning process, moss and growths are removed, as well as the dead old layer of the bark, which will be replaced with a new one. All this is home to harmful insects. All garbage should be burned.

Disinfection and treatment of injuries

Not all types of whitewash are able to effectively destroy pests, so it is recommended to pre-treat the bark with a special disinfectant. To do this, you can use a solution of copper sulfate, Bordeaux mixture or other drugs. Their application is important so that the trunk of the tree is covered with a solution, but the drops do not drain from it. It is best to use a small spray. Regular use of strong chemicals is not worth it, because they have the property of accumulating and causing harm to both the tree and you.

If the house has ash, you can make it a wonderful remedy for harmful insects. In addition, it can also serve as a top dressing. It is done as follows: in 10 liters of water 2-3 kg of ash is diluted and a small piece of soap is added. This treatment is carried out on a sunny day.

The existing cracks or wounds on the bark are treated with a special agent for protecting the wood and accelerating healing. It is best to use garden var. Typically, experienced gardeners do it themselves. There are many recipes. The easiest option is to make a clay chattle with mullein and straw. She is not very persistent, but still can serve for some time.

Whitewashing

It is most convenient to bleach the trees with a spray gun. This allows you to save time and paint well all the irregularities and depressions. But this requires a solution more, and the device itself is not available to all. Therefore, brushes corresponding to the thickness of the trunk are more often used.

The whitewashing of the trees in spring is performed from the bottom up to the first branches. Often the trunk is whitewashed in height only by a meter or even lower. But frosts and pests can harm the tree and higher. Cracks often appear in the fork between large branches. Therefore, it is necessary to apply the composition sufficiently high, as well as color the lower branches.

Which are the best tools to use?

The compositions for whitening are very different, and their purpose is different. Simple Whitewashing of trees in spring with lime is not very effective, as it will wash off after several rains. In lime, you should add clay, glue or manure for better pestering (that is available). For better protection in whitewash, vitriol is added.

Great value in whitening is the age of the tree. Old can withstand more additives. Young seedlings need to be whitened more cautiously. Only chalk or lime is used to whitewash trees with natural additives, because they have a tender cuticle that can not be clogged with glue (they can not breathe normally and will slow down in growth).

If there is no time to search and build all the components on their own, there is also a ready-made shop whitewash available. In its composition, glue and protective additives have already been introduced, and at the same time it allows "breathing". Whitewashing is sold in diluted or dry form (it should be diluted according to the instructions with water). Acrylic paint for whitewashing is undesirable. Although it looks, of course, beautiful and does not wash away much longer. The trunks are elegant, bright, snow-white, but they do not breathe at all.

We suggest to consider what can be a whitewash of fruit trees in spring composition.

Whitewashing of trees in spring: a composition of lime, glue, clay and vitriol

The advantage of this mixture is that it adheres well, is not washed off for a long time, is environmentally friendly. Suitable for mature trees.

Dilute 50 grams of wallpaper glue in water (about half a bucket). After it is well distributed, add 2 kg of slaked lime and 400 g of diluted with very hot water of vitriol. Add 1 kg of clay and 1 kg of manure. Instead of wallpaper paste, you can use 100 gr. Joinery glue. Stir well the mixture until smooth. According to the density, it should be similar to sour cream.

Composition of lime, clay and copper sulphate

This mixture has been used for many years, but still has not lost its popularity among gardeners.

The whitewashing of the trees in spring in the composition of lime, clay and vitriol has the following. Quench with water 2.5 kg of lime. This is done in this way: poured into a bucket of 6 liters of water and poured lime. It is necessary to cover the bucket with a lid and let it, so to speak, "puff". After about 15-20 minutes, the lime stops splashing. Now it needs to add 300g of vitriol, previously diluted in hot water. To make the mixture thicker and stick better, add 2 kg of clay. The solution should be well mixed to make it thicker and without lumps. Cover with such a composition of the trees better than two layers.

Composition for young seedlings and trees

Here you can use only environmentally friendly and the simplest ingredients that do not clog pores on young seedlings.

The composition is as follows: 2 kg of slaked lime mixed with 1 kg of manure and 1-1.5 kg of clay. Then add water until the consistency of thick sour cream is obtained.

Clay and manure have disinfectant and binding properties. This composition can be used for whitewashing all trees, not just young ones.

Apply the composition with a wide brush. Begin whitewashing from above and move down.