[NCSULandscaper]

Originally Posted by klaaar

Holy crap. Light from the sun is hotter after being reflected? Where does the extra energy come from?

If reflective ground cover would work to stimulate bud break on the lower scaffold branches, I would think the stuff could be removed soon after the new growth showed.

ever walked infront of a window that the sun was shining on and felt a surge of heat?

[VoodooChile]

Mylar is used in hydroponic growing systems to maximize the plants' exposure to electric light.

It would require some experimentation in the landscape, but depending on the site's exposure and the amount and placement of the mylar, I think you could safely increase the amount of light on the lower branches without frying them. There is also the matter of the light mostly hitting the underside of the leaves once reflected from the ground.

One of the reasons that limbed-up mature trees don't regrow lower shoots is that the upper branches shade the lower reaches of the plant, hence the mylar idea...

[NCSULandscaper]

for outside you use white plastic if it would even work, i have my doubts you will see anything happen from it

[klaaar]

Thanks all. I'll possibly report back with pics if anything interesting happens.