California Citrus Growers Trimming, Painting Trees To Deal With Drought
FRESNO (CBS SF) -- California's ongoing drought has led some citrus growers to paint their trees to block out the sun, and protect their crops.
Growers in Fresno have sawed off large portions of their trees because there's not enough water to keep the dense canopies alive, and spray painting them with a diluted latex paint that acts as a sunblock.
Farmers are hoping the limited well water they have will be enough for the smaller, protected stock.
"If there's no water, you just can't grow anything," citrus farmer Jay Gillette said.
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Farmers in Australia tried the same pruning and painting technique during a severe drought, and were able to get their orchards back to full production after three years.
