Those white-painted tree trunks aren’t decoration—they’re protection. The pale coating acts as a quiet warning system against winter damage, shielding trees from stresses most people never notice.
In cold months, sunlight can warm one side of a trunk during the day, only for freezing temperatures to hit at night. That rapid shift causes the bark to expand and contract, leading to cracks known as sunscald, which leave trees vulnerable to disease and decay.
A thin layer of diluted white latex paint reflects sunlight and helps keep the bark’s temperature stable. This simple step reduces stress on the tree and prevents injuries that can weaken it for years.
So when you see trees dressed in white, you’re seeing care in action—a small, thoughtful effort that helps them survive winter and grow strong again in spring.
