Haramaki/Belly Bands are important in Japan and other East Asian countries that believe in the importance of keeping the belly warm. Many trees are given "belly bands" for protection, although these are so small they likely function more for giving insects a place to live and stay warm so the straw can be removed in the spring along with the insects.
I have never heard of this! We wrap something similar around tree trunks about a third of the way up to prevent bugs from crawling up and laying eggs, which would destroy the leaves next Spring. This made me smile!
