Organic Answers Column – August 30, 2023 – Tree Wrapping

Does Tree Wrapping Make Sense?

The short answer is “no.”

Why is it dumb to wrap tree trunks with paper or plastic when they’re planted?

An explanation: There are people (to ignore on this subject) who might say – “if you don’t protect trees with thin barks from the ravages of sun that they will suffer mightily.” They also might try to sell the idea that wrapping will help repel insect pests and disease pathogens.

The truth is the opposite: that wrapping provides a perfect habitat for insects and diseases to get established. Trees might live through this wrapping treatment but it wastes time and money and causes more problems than it solves. The trees usually incorrectly recommended for this treatment include Shumard red oak, chinquapin oak, Chinese pistachio, certain maples, and other thin barked trees.

Little if any good comes from this antiquated idea of “wrapping” tree trunks

A much better way to protect “at risk” trunks of trees is to paint them with “Tree Trunk Goop.” Our most current formula is this:

Equal amounts of good compost, Azomite and kaolin clay – with water added, of course. Kaolin clay is available in a commercial product as Surround WP and others. The kaolin clay helps hold the materials on the damaged area longer and is thus more effective. When it washes off by rain or irrigation, it is good fertilizer for the soil around the tree.

Tree trunk goop slathered on tree bark

A recent invention may turn out to be even better:

1 gallon of latex paint (the color of the bark) with 20 ounces of sand and a cup of Azomite added. Lava sand would be best for the sand part. The grit is this mix helps to repel squirrels, rats, rabbits, deer, beavers and other beasts. The tree will simply grow it off in due time.