tree well

First, tree wells are formed when the canopy of a tree prevents snow from accumulating at the base. Tree wells are noted by a deep ring of much shallower snow around the trunk, with walls of snow just beyond the protection of the canopy.

A tree well is a great solution to a problem that often arises during excavation of a building, driveway, or road site. When excavated soil is carelessly mounded around the base of a tree, the tree gradually suffocates. Removing this soil from around the trunk and dry-stacking a tree well to retain the soil at a safe distance can save a tree's life.