We paint saplings to young trees to prevent the bark from splitting in winter. if
left dark the sun heats the bark on one side, the dark side is freezing cold and the
rapid expansion of the heated bark causes a vertical split to occur.

actually, we wrap with screening as high as we can after painting to keep rabbit and
mice mouths off the bark and I spray insecticides thru the screening. white on an
old larger trunk lets birds pick the insects off easier too. we even slather
tanglefoot to trap insects crawling up the tree. Ingrid


On Sat, 18 Apr 2009 13:52:53 GMT, "brooklyn1" wrote:
The paper wrap is to help prevent wind burn and sun scald to young saplings
because their bark is so thin... does nothing to prevent rabbits from
nibbling because they actually enjoy eating that paper too. The paper wrap
should only be used in cold climates and needs to be removed as soon as the
ground begins to thaw, or insects will make their homes under the paper and
will also encourage mold growth by holding moisture. Wrap is totally
unnecesary once the mature bark begins to form. If you have a rabbit
nibbling problem use a sleeve of wire mesh (chicken wire works well) but
don't let it touch the tree.

Some folks paint tree trunks white, for the
same reason some folks paint rocks they place along the roadway,
visibility/decorative... in parts of Florida and California I've seen palm
tree trunks on particular Blvds. painted, some in pastel blue and flamingo
pink, strictly for increasing visibility along roadways and obviously for
decorative purposes.