As snow melts and the ground is re-exposed in the spring, yards become vulnerable to multiple types of damage from winter debris.
Winter debris ranges in the amount of damage it can do on a lawn. Some lawns not surrounded by trees are largely immune to fallen winter waste. However, many yards in Natick and the surrounding towns are victim to multiple types of yard debris that can cause damage. The most common culprit is tree branches, which can crush plants and impact beds. Branches can also become extremely numerous in the early days of the season. After accumulating in the snow all winter, the sticks and branches are bountiful by the time it melts. Stick cleanup is one of the most tedious and least desired yard tasks, and the amount of sticks is always increasing in the early parts of the season. Raking is a good strategy to deal with sticks, as they can be too heavy to be moved by leaf blowers. Sticks can sometimes form thick natural barriers that prevent other debris from leaving the yard. It is important to make sure sticks are out of the way far enough to not trap debris.
Many trees also drop reproductive components which can do damage to yards. Pine cones and other types of seeds can provide rapid growth for their respective plants, in some cases becoming invasive to the environment. Pine needles provide a slipping hazard for yards with hills. Pine needles can make the ground slippery by packing onto the ground between grass, making the surface of the ground slippery. This is exacerbated when trying to do yard work while wearing work boots or carrying a leaf blower. Clearing pine needles can be crucial to ensure safe walking spaces on yards with hills.
The seeds and fruit of some trees can also attract undesirable animals. Squirrels, chipmunks, and racoons can all eat tree berries and seeds. They can become attracted to large amounts of these types of debris, and these pest animals can make negative impacts on yards in many ways. Cleaning up tree debris and winter leftover debris is an important way of preparing for the upcoming spring season.
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