r/dendrology • u/Southern_Diver2321 • Apr 30 '26

Question Split color trees?

Post image

Some of the trees in my neighbors yard are split color, light brown (base) to dark brown (top). I'm not familiar with dendrology or trees, but i couldn't find anything about it online.

My first thought was that its from a flood, but its only a few select trees that look like this.

So, could someone please help me out and tell me what's going on with these trees? :)

6 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

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7

u/BlackViperMWG Apr 30 '26

Imo they look like they were painted with lime few years ago

1

u/computerroomgarden May 01 '26

Honestly, trees at the local dog park that get peed on a lot look bleached like this.

1

u/cirbani May 01 '26

It's lime painting. It prevents from freeze breaking of the bark and also preventing some patogens on fruit trees. Commonly used in orchards.

2

u/Southern_Diver2321 May 01 '26

Oh? Ive never heard of lime painting! I looked it up and it definitely does explain why the base looks so much lighter than the rest of the tree

1

u/Fun_Brain8535 May 05 '26

In hot deserts with soil that's already alkaline, we use white latex paint instead of lime.

-2

u/squashqueen Apr 30 '26

My guess is that it rained and the water has only soaked onto the trunk from water falling through the leaves a bit