Why are orange trees often sprayed with water?

Answer 1

Because the water freezes and puts a layer of ice on the fruit. This ice acts like an insulating blanket, protecting the plant from the colder than freezing temperatures that causes cellular wall damage that destroys the skin on the fruit and eventually the whole fruit.
"As the water freezes on the leaves, it gives off heat protecting the tree. The ice can also form an insulation barrier." Close, but not quite. What the orange growers are relying on is a thermodynamic property (in this case, of water) called latent heat of fusion. Basically, since water can exist in its solid and liquid form simultaneously ONLY at 32° F, it will stay at that temperature until it is all frozen. So for a short-lived cold snap, this strategy can protect one's orange trees by having the sprayed-on water freeze essentially instead of the orange. But if it stays below freezing for an extended period, the Oranges will freeze, too.

Answer 2

To keep them from freezing!Although it's grossly counter-intuitive, whenever citrus groves are in danger of experiencing below-freezing temps, the trees are sprayed with water. This causes frost to form on the rinds of the fruit and provides an extra layer of insulation against the low temperatures that would otherwise freeze the edible portion of the fruit and destroy the crop.

In addition, when the water freezes, some heat is released which can protect the the fruit. This is the opposite process of melting when heat is required.

Answer 3

Orange trees are typically sprayed with insecticides. There are several insects that prefer citrus trees and can wreak havoc on an orchard. When growing only a few trees, insecticidal soap is often used to deal with insects.

Answer 4

because the water would clean off the chemicals so you wont be sick after you eat the fruit.