Päällepäsmäriä

Päällepäsmäriä refers to a traditional Finnish method of removing lichen or moss that grows on trees, especially on branches that are in direct sunlight. This process is often necessary to maintain the health of the tree and to promote better growth.

The word "päällepäsmäriä" literally translates to "head-smearing" or "head-clearing" in Finnish, which refers to the act of removing the lichen or moss that grows on the branches, allowing the sunlight to reach the leaves and the tree's bark.

Päällepäsmäriä is typically performed during the dormancy period of the tree, usually in late winter or early spring, when the tree is less active and the lichen or moss is most fragile. This allows the tree to recover more easily from the process.

The tools used for päällepäsmäriä are usually simple and rustic, consisting of a long-handled scraper or a small axe. The process involves gently scraping or chipping away the lichen or moss, working from the base of the branch upwards. Care must be taken not to damage the tree's bark or injure the tree's underlying cambium layer.

In modern times, päällepäsmäriä is not as common a practice as it was in the past, due to the increased availability of chemical and mechanical tree care methods. However, some forest managers and tree enthusiasts still use this traditional method to promote the health and well-being of trees in forests where lichen and moss growth can be problematic for tree growth.