Reasons for Painting Tree Trunks White Whitewashing tree trunks can help prevent damage to young saplings and even mature trees. Though it’s not necessary for every tree, it is a time-honored ...

Painting the trunk with a 1:1 mix of white latex paint and water helps reflect sunlight and keeps the bark temperature stable. It's like giving your tree its own SPF 50.

"In fact, painting tree trunks white to repel pests was first introduced in Europe," Cai said. "Previously, European countries applied this technique to fruit trees.

And if the paint protected them, then they’d survive.” Just as citrus growers apply white latex to the trunks of their trees, Weiant applied outdoor latex paint to pink-flowering camellias.