best shade cloth percent for citrus trees 40% or 70-80%

[downsouthcitrus]

hi everybody which is the better protection for cold protection the 40% or the 70-80% black shade cloth

[pagnr]

40% shade cloth has a more open weave, i.e. larger holes in the netting, than 70 % or 80 %.
Windbreak shade for construction site fences are often 30% or 50%.
Shadesails over carparks and playgrounds are often 90 to 95 % shade factor, but with open sides.
The higher % shade factor, the more closed the weave, the less wind gets thru, but also less light gets thru.
Frost protection cloths are often very light fabric with a very closed weave but tan or white to lessen the shade factor.
This slows radiant heat loss over the crop during very low night temps or frost.
Clear plastic probably has the best cold and windbreak control, but no or very low shade factor.
You need to balance these factors of wind protection, light penetration etc.
It also depends on the shape of your protective structure, i.e. hoop tunnel or flat roof open sides etc and the tension you put on the fixed fabric ( tension stretches the weave )
Also the climate you are in is important for permanent covers, i.e. balancing winter protection with summer shade protection,
and balancing wind protection with the shade factor during the day.
70 to 80 % cloth will give a more settled environment inside a hoop tunnel, ( less wind penetration ) but also more shade than 40 % cloth.
Depending on climate location that could be a little dull in winter ? Not too bad here because we have winter sun most days.
70 to 80 % white cloth can be better for allowing good light penetration and wind reduction with the higher % weave.
I have red cloth on some of my hoop tunnels, over a plastic cover. That gives a good balance of light penetration and dispersal, with shade factor.

[downsouthcitrus]

going to use these directly on trees in the ground. tired of pruning 8-10 ft limbs, climbing and fighting with that heavy that clear greenhouse plastic on top of a 24x20 frame-built house, will still use it on all the sides lol

[downsouthcitrus]

thanks just found them which is better the .50 oz or the 1.2 ounce ...want to leave it on the trees december until spring