How pine trees affect local temperature in winter

The image comes from NASA's MODIS "Terra" satellite in low-orbit across the USA.  The field of view is the state of Minnesota (STC = St. Cloud, MKT = Mankato).

You can clearly see the darker shading to the landscape over northern Minnesota, pine trees appear darker from space - lower albedo absorbing more warmth from the suun, keeping temperatures a few degrees warmer.

From meteorologist Paul Douglas' On Weather blog.