Why Paint Tree Trunks White? Sunscald Protection, Not Traffic Safety

White paint on tree trunks isn't for road visibility—it's a traditional practice to prevent sunscald. On sunny winter days, dark bark heats up, then cracks when temperatures plummet at night. White paint reflects sunlight, stabilizing bark temperature. While some old-timers believed it repelled insects, most rural white trunks are simply aesthetic. Pecan growers still use this method on young trees for genuine protection.