Sunscald Injury on Peach
Return to Abiotic Disorders
Sunscald to lower trunks or scaffold limbs occurs in late winter or spring when growth begins (bark loosens or slips). On a warm, sunny day, a rapid drop in temperature causes bark to contract, split, and separate from the tree. Damage tends to occur in winter on the southwest side of lower trunks and on upward facing scaffold limbs. Resulting wounds are slow to heal and provide a point of entry for insects and diseases; limb breakage can result.
Sunscald injury to southwest side of trunk.
(Photo: John Strang, University of Kentucky)
Damage to exposed scaffold limb led to decay and breakage.
(Photo: John Strang, University of Kentucky)
Trunk protected with latex paint.
(Photo: John Strang, University of Kentucky)
Management:
- Protect young tree trunks with white plastic wrap-around tree guards or white exterior latex paint late in autumn.
- Paint the tops of horizontal exposed scaffold limbs with indoor latex paint.
