What can we do to protect my fruit trees from borers?

Borers often attack fruit and ornamental trees that are weak or damaged by sunburn. Live tissue beneath the bark can be killed by heat from the sun on the south side of a tree's trunk and the top side of horizontal branches. The trunk and major branches of newly planted and container grown trees should be painted with whitewash to protect the bark from sunburn damage. You can use a commercial whitewash sold at some garden centers, or you can dilute white interior flat latex paint with an equal amount of water. Also, irrigate as needed to provide adequate soil moisture for young trees. Wait until leaves and shoots are actively growing, then feed lightly with a fertilizer containing nitrogen. Scatter a small amount of fertilizer around the tree at least one foot from the trunk and water well to dissolve.