Friday, March 29, 2024
26.7 C
Haikou

Bo’ao Forum for Asia (BFA) Agenda Overview

Discussions on investment, technology, and climate action at the Boao Forum for Asia 2024 Annual Conference. Agenda Overview: March 26-29

Hainan Free Trade Port Encouraged Industries Catalogue (2024 edition)

Everything you need to know about the Hainan Free Trade Port Encouraged Industries Catalogue (2024 edition)

Permanent Residence Identity Cards now Enable Simplified Business Registration...

Hainan Province pioneers using Permanent Residence Identity Cards for simplified business registration, fostering a more inviting investment climate

All tariffs removed from NZ dairy entering China from...

New Zealand said on Monday all its dairy products were now able to enter China duty-free as safeguard duties on milk powder ended on Dec. 31st

Why are trees in Hainan painted white?

Temperature fluctuations can cause a tree’s bark to crack, allowing insects and other creepy crawlies to crawl inside.

On a hot sunny summer’s day as you stroll under the shade of trees, in virtually any village, town or city in Hainan, you may have wondered why the base of the trees are painted white.

The answer to your musings is that it is a traditional safeguard against fungal diseases, potential pest attacks and changing weather conditions.

However, depending on where in the world you are, there may be other reasons for whitewashing trees.

What is the white paint?

Calcium oxide is the chemical combination of calcium and oxygen
Calcium oxide (CaO), is commonly known as slaked lime or burnt lime

The paint is simply a solution of calcium oxide in water called Limewash, (or whitewash depending on where in the world you’re from), in proportions of 1:5, 5 litres of water per 1 kg of slaked lime.

Sun Scald

In Hainan, temperatures can fluctuate in late autumn, winter and even early spring, with extreme differences between day and at night.

Tree trunks get warmed up in sun during the day, and, when exposed to cold temperatures at night, they tend to crack.

In gardening terms, that process is called Sun Scald and usually (but not just), occurs during the tree’s infancy.

Painting a tree’s trunk white is similar to adding sunscreen. White paint acts as a shield that reflects the heat and allows the tree to spend more time on transpiration.  

Transpiration is a process that involves loss of water vapour, which cools the tree down when the weather is very hot.

Pathogens and Pests

Slugs sheltering in a sun scald fissure
Slugs sheltering in a sun scald fissure

If the temperature fluctuations cause a tree’s bark to crack, it can allow insects and other creepy crawlies to crawl inside. Once that happens, fungi and bacteria will feed on the tree’s sap, causing infection, stunting its growth and eventually killing it.

The paint itself also prevents insects from entering inside through any cracks.

Like any other type of tree, palm trees are prone to pests. In fact, insects can infect and destroy coconuts, regardless of their hard and durable bark.

It takes palm trees about three years before they can fully develop their bark
It takes palm trees about three years before they can develop their bark fully

It takes palm trees about three years before they can fully develop their bark and protect themselves from UV rays. Whitewashing is used to offer protection until palm trees are mature and don’t need help anymore.

Whitewashing in Mexico

Leafcutter ants are an extremely aggressive insect
Leafcutter ants are an extremely aggressive insect

As previously mentioned, people whitewash trees for a variety of reasons, depending on where they live. For example, in Mexico, the purpose of whitewashing is to protect the tree and fend off a specific type of extremely aggressive insect, called the leafcutter ant.

Leafcutter ants are so vicious that they can destroy the foliage of a citrus tree in less than a day. Locals paint the tree trunks using calcium hydroxide, which is very alkaline and can burn any ant and denature the proteins that make up pheromones.

Whitewashing in Greece

Paint houses white in Greece
Whitewash is a necessary and practical way to stay cool

Greece is another country where you can find trees with their trunks painted white, according to tradition, during Easter, everything gets whitewashed.

That includes the house, the stone steps, fences, and of course the trees.

alternatives to preventing sun scald
Few alternatives to preventing sun scald are as cost effective as whitewashing

Even though there are other alternatives to preventing sun scald and infestation, few are as effective, accessible and cost effective as whitewashing.

Therefore, if you have any young trees in your garden, you should consider whitewashing them regularly. Not only will you fend off insects, but you will give your trees enough protection for them to fully grow without the fear of Sun Scald.

Related article: Do not crush the Paederus (Rove Beetle)

Do not swat this beetle Paederus Rove beetle
Comment or complaint

If you would like to make a comment, compliment or complaint about any aspect of living or working in Hainan Island, we’d love to hear from you. We pass all communications on to the relevant services. Please keep it polite and to the point.

=

Latest properties for rent

Two bedroom apartment-rental lease transfer

Room 301, Building 9, Hongdao Garden, No. 352 Yehai Avenue, Chengxi Town 海南省海口市龙华区城西镇椰海大道352号港岛花园9栋301房
2
Bedrooms
1
Bathrooms
80.57 m2
Living area
¥2700

Guanhai Coffee Xixiu Beach

Sitting just a few steps away from Xixiu Beach in Haikou, Guanhai Coffee offers a nice escape for beach lovers and coffee enthusiasts alike. Its open-air setting and comfortable outdoor seating provide a nice...

Middle, primary school & Kg teachers needed – Sanya, Hainan – Aug 2024

Experience the best of both worlds - a fulfilling teaching career and an idyllic island lifestyle. Join our international school in Hainan this August...

UNIVERSITY LECTURER IN EARLY EDUCATION HAINAN

For this subject, we have several courses that require face-to-face teaching by a foreign teacher, with no more than 20 hours of teaching per...

Primary Homeroom Teacher Hainan Campus

The goal of Haidian Foreign Language Academy is to develop students that have the skills to be successful in both a Chinese and Western...

Related articles:

Bo’ao Forum for Asia (BFA) Agenda Overview

Discussions on investment, technology, and climate action at the Boao Forum for Asia 2024 Annual Conference. Agenda Overview: March 26-29

Hainan Summer Safety: Preventing Poisoning from Toxic Plants

Recently, there has been a series of incidents in Hainan involving illnesses triggered by mistakenly picking and ingesting toxic plants. Learn how to avoid poisoning from toxic plants as summer approaches.

Hainan Free Trade Port Encouraged Industries Catalogue (2024 edition)

Everything you need to know about the Hainan Free Trade Port Encouraged Industries Catalogue (2024 edition)

Free Hepatitis B Vaccination Program for 20-40 Year-olds Launched in Hainan

Hainan Province launches free hepatitis B vaccination drive for 20-40 age group, aiming to boost public health resilience

Get weekly email updates for new articles published!

Haikou
moderate rain
26.7 ° C
26.7 °
26.7 °
75 %
1.6kmh
100 %
Fri
26 °
Sat
32 °
Sun
34 °
Mon
35 °
Tue
35 °

Cosy Stays Beyond the Ordinary

Relax, Unwind, and Explore Hainan's Hidden Gems

Guanhai Coffee Xixiu Beach

Sitting just a few steps away from Xixiu Beach in Haikou, Guanhai Coffee offers a nice escape for beach lovers and coffee enthusiasts alike....

Romantic Turkey Halal Restaurant

Experience the Essence of Turkey at Romantic Turkey Halal Restaurant!Step into a culinary haven where the heart of Turkey comes alive on your plate....

Iron Hand Coffee

At Iron Hand Coffee, we specialize in both specialty blends and classic black or white coffee—all at prices that won't break the bank. Our...
spot_img

Bored? Need to get out more?

Latest News ...

China-Thailand Visa Exemption Agreement Takes Effect: Visa-Free Travel for Passport Holders

China-Thailand visa pact begins Mar 1st, allowing 30-day stays for passport holders, hassle-free journeys for closer ties

Fourth China Int’l Consumer Products Expo: Latest Developments and Key Highlights

The Fourth China International Consumer Products Expo is nearing 90% completion, as thousands of exhibits from almost 50 countries and regions are confirmed for participation.

Hainan Cuts Down Payment for First Time Home Buyers

Hainan Province has moved to cut down-payment ratio for first-time homebuyers, the latest region in the country to ease mortgage policies to boost slumping home sales.

Hainan Responds to Lunar New Year Travel Surge

As Lunar New Year travel surges, Hainan grapples with congestion. Increased flights and ferry services deployed to ease stranded tourists
spot_img

Looking for an international pre-school in Haikou?

Flora's International Preschool has three preschools in the Haikou area. Our schools follow a European curriculum

Continue Reading ...

The Porch Café Friday Special; Baked Beef Chimichangas

Introducing our Baked Beef Chimichangas – a tantalizing twist on traditional comfort food that's sure to become a family favourite! Tender, seasoned beef wrapped in a warm tortilla, baked to golden perfection, and served with all your favourite toppings. With each bite, you'll experience a burst of flavour reminiscent of home-cooked goodness.

Haikou Bay Performing Arts Centre Grand Theatre March Events

This March, immerse yourself in the timeless ballet composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky as well as the melodies of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Dmitri Shostakovich as their music comes to life on stage ...

Artists and Craftsmen International Exhibition – February 2024

Join us for a celebration of creativity at the Artists and Craftsmen International Exhibition, taking place on February 23-25, 2024, from 16:00 to 22:00 at Le Cape Shopping Mall.

Get weekly email updates for new articles published!

Never miss another important notice or event. Be informed of what you need to know, when you need to know it.