alder trees shed their branches from the bottom up.
the higher they grow when they grow in a group, the less light the bottom branches receive. so the alder tree cuts off the food supply to the lower branches, which dry up and fall to the ground, providing food for fungus, and perfectly seasoned firewood for scavengers like myself. 🙂
Compeition for photons
Building up the soil for more water retention and nutrient holding too, defending themselves against dry weather and forest fires.
The eucalyptus here makes what people call widow makers. Large heavy deadwood branches that break and fall when it's windy. By the time they fall the deadwood is seasoned and perfect for firewood.
I read somewhere a ¼ acre or mature gum trees produces enough deadwood that it can sustain a familys heating and cooking needs indefinitely. Just the stuff that you pick up off the ground.
#naturstr #treestr
