Why Are Some Trees Painted White?

I used to wonder why some trees have white-painted trunks. Every time I passed by, I asked myself if it meant something important. Recently, I discovered that this simple trick carries a very specific purpose.

Tree planters use white paint as a protective measure, communicating crucial information about a tree’s health and well-being.

What Tree Markings Mean

You might have seen other tree markings too. Orange dots often signal that a tree will be cut down, while purple marks indicate private property or “no trespassing.”

But white paint serves a completely different role. It protects trees from a common winter threat called sunscald.

How Winter Damages Trees