Application is easy and quick, and it lasts all year:
- Mix 1 part hydrated lime with 1–2 parts water. Adjust until it’s the consistency of paint.
- Using a wide brush, apply the mixture from the base of the tree up to the first branches. For young trees, extend the coating further up the main limbs.
- Let dry. No need to rinse.
Tip: Apply in late autumn or early winter before the coldest months set in.
🧼 Why “Bleach It Once”?
This phrase doesn’t mean you’re using literal bleach—it refers to whitewashing with lime, which has mild disinfectant properties. Once applied, the protective coating gradually fades over the year, but continues to work through winter and spring—when trees need protection the most.
In essence:
✅ Apply once in the off-season
✅ Forget about it
✅ Reapply the next year
✅ Final Thoughts
Whitewashing is an ancient yet effective practice for protecting your trees from pests, sunscald, and diseases. This clever gardener’s trick is so simple, you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it sooner.
🌿 One coat = one year of peace of mind.
Apply it once and relax knowing your trees are safeguarded—naturally.
📚 References:
- University of Missouri Extension: Sunscald on Trees
- USDA Agricultural Research Service: Managing Insect Pests on Fruit Trees
- NC State Extension: Protecting Trees in Winter
