Dead but still needed

“No kidding! Tell me something I don’t already know.” That was my reaction back in the 1980s when I read a prominent garden writer’s pronouncement, “Dead trees are not an enhancement to the landscape.” Flash forward to the 21st century. Whatever your aesthetic preference, for a sustainable garden, the expert and I were both dead wrong.

Downed logs do add to the sustainable landscape

    I’m thinking about dead wood because recent high winds brought down sizable branches from a white pine in our yard. 

Branch torn from the white pine by wind gusts

Fortunately they made it to the ground without crushing anything below. My initial thought was that I’d have to cut them up as yard waste later this winter when pruning season starts. Then I realized they’ll be more useful staying on the ground here in the garden.

    Dead trees were long thought of as unattractive and messy. Managers of parks and public gardens cleared them away to keep the landscape looking neat. I learned that the tide turned on this issue in 1986 with publication of an influential scientific study showing the many ways dead trees serve the ecosystem. In fact, it turns out that dead trees may provide more food for insects, birds, and mammals than live trees do.

Modern forestry lets dead trees lie

    Snags, or standing dead trees, and downed logs provide food and shelter for insects, which in turn feed birds and small animals, especially in winter. They also provide good spots for nests and dens. 

Some people make live trees into snags to offer birds housing and insects for food

As they decompose, they feed fungi that enrich soil and feed plants. Fungal hyphae transmit water and nutrients to roots.

    This is a great time of year to notice beautiful lichens in the woods. 

Lichens can grow on both live and dead trees

Back in your school days, you probably heard lichens cited as the classic example of symbiosis. They’re a partnership of mosses and fungi that are often seen on downed logs. Mosses share the sugars they make through photosynthesis; fungi contribute water and minerals they gather from the soil. Lichens don’t infect live trees, though.

    After consideration, I revised my plan for the downed pine branches. Instead of sending them out as yard waste, I’ll relocate them to inconspicuous areas of the yard where they can rot quietly and provide food and habitat.

I'll hope to see lots of growth on the dead pine branches

For those who would like more scientific information about neonicotinoid insecticides, I found an excellent report compiled by the Xerces Society. Here’s a link.

Friends, this post is abbreviated because I broke my wrist, and I’m having trouble typing. I may not be able to post next week. I hope to be back to you as soon as possible.