Liming fruit trees

Preparing Trees

Lime is sold under the name of “agricultural quicklime” or “tree whitewash“, powdered to be diluted in water or in a bucket, ready to use, and even in spray form if you only have a few trees to coat.

Warning, quicklime is highly corrosive and can cause burns. It is essential to work outdoors in a well-ventilated area, wearing gloves, protective goggles, and long clothing with boots.

If you are using powdered lime, follow the quantities indicated on the package. The order is important: first pour the water into a metal bucket, then add the lime. The mixture will bubble and generate a lot of heat. Cover the bucket with a metal lid or a board and let it sit for several hours, ideally overnight. The next day, stir with a wooden stick and add a little water if the mixture is too thick. For better adherence of the lime to the tree, you can add a glass of liquid black soap for every 5 litres of lime milk.

The application: when, how?

The application of lime is carried out at the end of winter, around February, and is renewed every year or every two years.

To lime your fruit trees:

• choose a day without rain or wind, preferably followed by several days without rain, to facilitate the adherence of the lime to the trunk,
• start by cleaning the trunk with a stiff brush to remove any traces of moss, lichen, or dead bark,
• apply the lime using a large brush, from the bottom to the top, up to the base of the main branches,
• if a second coat is necessary, apply it without waiting for the first coat to dry completely.

Photo: Pauk