Since I live in close proximity to the District of Columbia, I frequently find myself in the city for one reason or another. Sometimes it’s to have lunch with a friend, attend a hockey game or some other gathering. Whatever the reason, I tend to try to find other things to do as long as I’m there.

That frequently involves hitting up a few museums, and though I’ve been to just about all of the major ones there’s usually a new exhibit or something to check out. But yesterday I was just walking on the Mall when I came across a curious situation.

For months preparations have been underway for President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration and the festivities that go along with it. So it was no surprise to see lots of plywood, trucks and workers along Pennsylvania Avenue just in front of the White House.

But I didn’t expect to see a team of men apparently tasked with protecting trees from the rowdy masses ready to descend on a cold January day. Here’s a look at a line of trees that extend for several blocks. The guys were rolling down the street with this flatbed truck, a closer look here, slapping up beautiful plywood boxes around each of the trees.

When they’re done, they look like this. If you’ll recall from the first photo, they have small metal edgings to begin with. You can still see them here, despite the fortress that has been installed.

One of the big questions: how many trees did we cut down for the plywood that’s protecting these trees? Plus, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, we sort of have a financial crisis on our hands. How much are taxpayers shelling out for the manpower and materials to construct the tree boxes? I have just enough free time to give half an effort to email some people and pretend they’ll get back to me on such important questions.