Winter's Provisions

If it weren't for the snow cover, we wouldn't notice just how many twigs and needles get added to the leaf litter on the forest floor during winter storms.

It probably provides fresh, juicy nutrition to ground creatures in lean times, and is easily found on top of the snow, so no burrowing or excavating required! 

I imagine these green boughs provide new warm material to re-stock and reline nests in long winters. 

Plus, the green boughs provide localized 'warmth' foci around which snow can melt.