As most know, a typical winter day is normally sunny and around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to the angle of the sun during winter, trees
see more intense sunlight which will heat up the southwest facing trunk of a deciduous tree. The heat on trunk will cause cells to become active, which will then freeze and become damaged when the temperatures drop below freezing at night. Sunscald may appear in trees as sunken or discolored bark, which may crack and fall off later to reveal dead tissue underneath. Young deciduous trees (non-evergreen) are the most susceptible to sunscald. Thin barked trees such as honey locusts, fruit trees, ashes, oaks, maples, lindens, and willows are at highest risk. To prevent sunscald on trees, they should be wrapped in commercial trunk wrap of a light color. Beginning at the base of the tree, wrap upwards to a point just above the lowest branches, overlapping 33 percent with each turn. Secure the ends of the wrap by taping around the trunk with electrical tape. Do not use duct tape or other similar tapes as this may result in girdling. In April, remove the tree wrap. Newly planted trees should be wrapped for at least two winters after being planted or until the bark becomes “rough”.