Heat Island Effect ?

I always notice when snow starts to melt that it goes faster around plants - leaving a circle clear of snow around them.
Does anyone know why this is ? Do the plants give off heat or something else which makes the snow go

 

Does the dog wee up them?
Don't eat yellow snow.
:cnfs:

Maybe the plant creates a physical boundary that warmer air can get around/against as opposed to the blanket of snow that has a larger surface area. Like an edge effect.

Sorry i'm biology not physics.

D

 

Thanks Exlabman. No, dogs not to blame. I notice the circle effect on all plants everywhere.

 

Hey Alice,

I wouldn't imagine they would expend energy to make heat in the winter, esp as most of them are dormant.

Could be they absorb energy from light to warm up, being darker, but then you'd expect that from any dark object poking out of the ground. Interesting one that

 

Thank you so much WOO :wuvu:

I think that answer solves a long standing mystery for me.
You sure are a great Googler :ntwrth:
Sincere gratitude. Alice x

 

Thanks Woo, interesting to know!