What are you doing for sunscald protection?

[Native Hunter]

I would like to hear what others are doing for sunscald protection on apple trees. I know that painting is effective, but I would like to avoid doing that. I think that something like a wide piece of corrugated plastic roofing material about 4 feet high might work well if it was stood up inside the cage on the southwest side. I'm just brainstorming here. I have a lot of trees I would like to protect better, and a cost effective method that works well is what I'm looking for.

 

[Maddog66]

Watching this because I have about 70 trees in Z4 where we get massive day/night temp swings.

. I paint mine every couple of years for about 6 years post-planting. After that it’s on them to live or die.

If someone invents a paint that also keeps bears and voles away….sign me up for every tree, every year!!

 

[homerj]

50/50 white interior latex and water in a pump sprayer. If there's something as effective and faster I'd like to know what it is.

 

[gunfun13]

I'd like to think the aluminum window screen I install as a rodent guard offers some protection from sunscald, but I have experienced minor cases on a couple trees over the years.

 

[SwampCat]

This probably wouldnt help on trees, but I use this over my muscadine vines to prevent sunscald. Supposed to supply 30% reduction in sun intensity. Tree might not be best application.

 

[Native Hunter]

50/50 white interior latex and water in a pump sprayer. If there's something as effective and faster I'd like to know what it is.

Thanks. How often do you repeat the process, and how high do you go from the ground up the tree?

 

[homerj]

Thanks. How often do you repeat the process, and how high do you go from the ground up the tree?

Yearly. Ground to at least the first set of limbs, so 5'+

 

[blueKYstream]

This is something I have neglected doing (on apples & pawpaws), but I suppose I should. I've left weeds grow in the apple tree cages, but come Spring they are mostly exposed. The deciduous shrubs (autumn olive or honeysuckle) or grasses/invasive lespedeza have flopped or lost their leaves).