Why are trees in Korea wrapped up with straw in the winter?
They may look like art installations especially when they are lit up at night, but there are practical reasons why some of the trees in Seoul are wrapped up in straw in winter!
Some are wrapped up snuggly in straw blankets from the base of their trunks to the tips of their branches, whilst others just have a thick straw belt around their middles. And then there are trees that don’t have any wrapping at all!
FULLY WRAPPED TREES
There seem to be two reasons for wrapping trees. The first one depends on the type of tree and how well it can deal with the Korean winter.
Persimmon trees and various types of blossom trees can’t handle frost so well. They are sensitive to the cold and prefer warm clothes. I know the feeling. 😟
That doesn’t mean that every single tree in need is wrapped up though! Tree wrapping is more common to see in prominent places in the city such as palace grounds, Seoul Art Centre, and the National Museums where I’ve seen various trees including young bamboo wrapped up in straw. And I often walk past these ones outside Kyobo bookstore in Gwanghwamun.
But I’ve realised that I don’t pay enough attention to my environment because I had not clue what kind of trees they were. And it wasn’t until I saw them wrapped up and incognito that I began to wonder about them..!
In another area of Jongno, a sign on the grass informs us that these trees are 배롱나무 crape myrtle, a kind of tree that blooms in the summer.
In other areas of Seoul, plant pots are covered with straw mats too.
Last month when I visited the City Hall library, workmen were outside making the straw covered hats to cover the large plant pots there. The straw covers seem to have a dual-purpose as whilst protecting the dormant plants they look cute too.
Apparently almost 90% of the trees that line the streets in the city are gingko trees. (The trees outside our apartment are a mixture of gingko and cherry blossom trees) But gingko are hardy enough to get through the winter. So they don’t need any straw wrapping.
Pine trees also don’t need protection from the cold but they often have a straw belt fitted around their middles as though to protect their modesty.
STRAW BELTED TREES
The second reason for wrapping trees is to do with insects.
I’ve heard that belts are put around pine trees in the winter to encourage insects that damage the trees to lay their eggs there. Then in the spring time the belts are thrown away before the insects hatch.
There are similar straw mats used on pine trees in Japan where they have a specific name – komomaki. An interesting thing I read in this Japan Times article is that research in Japan shows that the belts don’t necessarily work– many varieties of eggs have been found in the straw belts but only a few from insects that actually harm the trees. But still the custom of wrapping the trees continues in Japan as it is a symbol of the season. I like that. 💕
For more seasonal pictures of Seoul see my post on Seoul Art Centre in 4 seasons
