Protecting Your Trees from Sun-scald
Sunscald (also sun scald) is a condition in which part of a tree develops damage after exposure to a large temperature differential between night and day. You must protect your trees as the condition can harm the tree to the point where it could die from secondary causes.
What Is Sunscald and How Does It Occur?
This is a cracking or discoloration of tree bark due to dying plant material. On sunny days, even in winter, the temperature on the west or south (especially southwest) sides of a tree trunk can rise considerably, bringing nearby cells in the tree out of winter dormancy. But when the temperature drops overnight, those cells then die from the colder temperatures. The tree bark can crack, allowing pathogens and pests into the body of the trunk.
How to Protect a Tree?
All you have to do is wrap the exposed trunk of the tree in a tree wrap that is colored white or has another very light color. You want to reflect heat and light away from the trunk. Do not paint the trunk white because the paint can harm the tree as well.
If you have a lot of trees or still aren’t sure which ones would really face a risk, contact a tree service or nursery for help.