Many trees still green in Helsinki

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Many birch, linden, and maple trees are still green in the Helsinki region, even though the first snow came down already a couple of weeks ago.
      However, Professor in silvicultureEero Nikinmaa from the University of Helsinki's Department of Forest Ecology notes that the phenomenon is not as unusual as one might think. He points out that on four occasions in the past fifteen years a similar situation has been observed.
      This year the autumn continued to be warm for a long time, and when the weather then suddenly turned cold, the trees were still not prepared for the winter, Nikinmaa reports.
     
Usually the Finnish tree species start preparing themselves for their winter hibernation already in August.
      However, the trees are likely to survive in spite of the stressful circumstances, particularly if the growing conditions next year are good, Nikinmaa concluded.


Links:
  The University of Helsinki Department of Forest Ecology

Helsingin Sanomat