Why no snow cover could be problematic in the Spring

HOLLISTON, Mass — Simkins Tree Service out of Holliston says yards could have trouble this year because of the lack of snow cover.

Owner Leo Simkins says slow-melting snow is also important.

“As the snow is falling through the atmosphere it is actually collecting atmospheric nitrogen,” said Simkins. “As that snow melts in the Spring it ends up going through the root system of the trees and the trees start to use that nitrogen.”

Todd Sandstrum is the Farm Manager at Medway Community Farm.

He also banks on big snow piles.

“It’s that last bit of slow, saturation of the soil that will help move some of that nitrogen down into the root base,” said Sandstrum.

Our Boston 25 Meteorologists say Boston has seen about 8 inches of snow. That’s down 20 inches from the average.

About 18 inches of snow have fallen in Worcester – which is down 24 inches.

The other concern. Warmer than average days.

“If we get too warm at this time of the year, that’s when you will see more bud development on your fruit trees. That cold snap will then impact fruit production if that bud is too far along,” said Sandstrum.

Simkins also tells us the softer ground right now is not good for those high wind events like we saw this past weekend. He says it is better to have a dormant tree rock solid in the frozen ground which is not happening either.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW

©2023 Cox Media Group