On 24-6-2016 10:02, Stephen wrote:
> On 6/24/2016 8:33 AM, Thomas de Groot wrote:
>> On 24-6-2016 9:16, Stephen wrote:
>>> On 6/24/2016 7:55 AM, Thomas de Groot wrote:
>>>> I do remember seeing whitewash on tree bases indeed. I don't know how
>>>> effective that might be.
>>>
>>> You might be remembering a leftover from WWII. In Britain we whitewashed
>>> the bases of trees that were next to roads. It made them more visible to
>>> headlights that were shuttered due to the blackout.
>>
>> Yes indeed, now that you mention it. I think that was also done in other
>> countries. I recall them at least from France.
>>
>
> But they would not have had a blackout in the USA.
> I found this:
> http://homeguides.sfgate.com/whitewash-tree-63606.html

I suppose there are different uses, this being one of them. At least the 
trees lining roads make sense even after the war when car lights and 
road lights were not what they are now. Many trees lining roads have 
been cut down since the fifties because they generated too many accidents.

>
>
>>>
>>>
>>>> It may be something like the blue paint around
>>>> windows in Mediterranean countries to keep flies from coming in.
>>>
>>> I didn't know that.
>>>
>>
>> I have always wondered about it.
>>
>
> Here is a different reason from Greece:
> http://www.greecetravel.com/archaeology/mitsopoulou/blue.html
>

I think this is spot on. I think I was told in Spain, many years ago, 
about the flies, but either the 'evil' connotation was lost, or 'flies' 
were assimilated to evil (not without reason), or they pulled my leg ;-)

-- 
Thomas

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