Painting trees with water based acrylic paint - Ask Extension
I was told to paint my trees with 50/50 water and white latex paint to prevent sun scald/burn. I just realized I used “interior water based acrylic-...
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Painting trees with water based acrylic paint #877197
Asked July 14, 2024, 7:01 PM EDT
I was told to paint my trees with 50/50 water and white latex paint to prevent sun scald/burn. I just realized I used “interior water based acrylic-alkyd” paint and not latex paint. Did I just kill my trees? Anything I can do to mitigate the damage?
Marion County Oregon
Expert Response
Dear Emma,
Thank you for contacting us regarding the paint used on your tree.
In researching your question, I find that acrylic paint contains chemicals that are not found in latex paint. The chemicals allow it to expand and contract with changing temperatures, and these chemicals can be detrimental to the tree.
You might try contacting the paint manufacturer to inquire whether a citrus-based degreaser might be effective in removing some of the paint. Please see this article from Purdue University which gives details:
https://www.purdue.edu/fnr/extension/graffiti-removal-from-trees/#:~:text=In%20addition%2C%20the%20bark%20and,death%20on%20thin%2Dbarked%20trees.
Milk paint is generally recommended if you wish to protect trees from sunscald. Another alternative is to prop a plank of wood against the trunk in winter, securing lightly with stretch tape or gauze wrap.
I hope this information is helpful. Please write again anytime you have gardening questions. Good luck with your tree.
Thank you for contacting us regarding the paint used on your tree.
In researching your question, I find that acrylic paint contains chemicals that are not found in latex paint. The chemicals allow it to expand and contract with changing temperatures, and these chemicals can be detrimental to the tree.
You might try contacting the paint manufacturer to inquire whether a citrus-based degreaser might be effective in removing some of the paint. Please see this article from Purdue University which gives details:
https://www.purdue.edu/fnr/extension/graffiti-removal-from-trees/#:~:text=In%20addition%2C%20the%20bark%20and,death%20on%20thin%2Dbarked%20trees.
Milk paint is generally recommended if you wish to protect trees from sunscald. Another alternative is to prop a plank of wood against the trunk in winter, securing lightly with stretch tape or gauze wrap.
I hope this information is helpful. Please write again anytime you have gardening questions. Good luck with your tree.
