Tree Wrapping
I took this picture on Monday, January 20, 2020. Japanese wrap the trunks of trees like this with hay, or rice straw in an attempt to retard harmful insect infestations. The belief is that insects like caterpillars will crowd together under the wrap, protected from inclement weather and warmer than the ambient temperature, making it easier for gardeners to remove and destroy them. This notion has been proved false, but the custom remains common.