Why trees have burlap and wood wrapped around the base?

Question

I saw this around the bottom of trees and it went for miles. All the trees along side the whole road had been covered. Oh, this was in Massachusetts. Anyone know?

Answer 1

Usually, a tree is wrapped to protect it from an outside agency.  One of these agencies may be bugs, disease, or human beings.  Where I grew up, it was not uncommon to see trees wrapped with plastic or wood to protect it from "weed-eaters" that men use to trim grass.  Otherwise, its a protection against bugs and diseases.  Probably, its a protection against some type of wood-borer.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

usually burlap is used to protect a tree or shrub from the elements.  Either they were just recently planted or if you noticed this in the fall, it was protection for the winter.

Answer 3

The soil ball which contains the main roots of the tree is wrapped in burlap so that the ball will stay in tact.The burlap is slit in several places prior to planting and the whole thing is set in the hole, the soil is shoveled in and tamped, the tree is watered and nature does the rest.