As the Coronavirus pandemic corrals us into social distancing and self-quarantine, I find myself more and more grateful to the nurses, doctors and front-line healthcare providers who are risking their lives and working tireless hours to care for affected patients.
When I turn to nature and gardening for much needed therapy during this stressful time, I recognize I am also grateful to nurse logs, often described as the healers of the forest. I recently learned about nurse logs from my friend Inta Krombolz, who is a sculptor, designer and gardener extraordinaire. Inta designed a nurse log exhibit for a garden club symposium in North Carolina which captured my attention.
Inta’s Nurse Log Display
Nurse logs are basically fallen trees which through their death provide a healthy and secure habitat for seedlings to grow and flourish. Starting life as a seedling is harder than you might think, given that many of these tiny plants can’t find enough light or nutrients to grow on the dark floor of a forest. Given the security of a nurse log though, they not only survive but thrive.
New life beginning on a nurse log
Fallen trees are a perfect habitat for insects and small mammals. Insects burrow holes into the wood, which are then filled with water as it rains. Like sponges the decaying logs retain the moisture needed to support life. Fungi are attracted to the moisture and the magical process of decomposition occurs. More nutrients result to enhance seedling growth. Small mammals help out when they leave food remnants and excrement behind to further enrich the soil.
Insects have created holes that will support future life
As modern gardeners, we are often overzealous in cleaning up our landscapes. We pick up sticks, remove dead wood, and strive to keep things spic and span. I encourage you to find creative ways to resist the urge to eliminate the dead wood and instead utilize it to create a healing space. In my garden I have lined pathways with fallen logs, left stumps to rot and cut dead trees 20 feet off the ground so they can decay in place. Other gardeners use old logs or stumps as planters for an attractive accent. In whatever way you can, I challenge you to incorporate some nurse logs in your landscape as protectors of your garden and of life.
A fallen branch that lines my woodland trail
A tree cut high and left to decay
A fallen tree in the forest
A stump planted with annuals and perennials
Sort of a “wabi sabi” plan for gardeners. Love this post. Have long observed this “cycle of life” in the woods and enjoyed it, had not known of the term “nurse logs,” but it’s apt. Here in the southwest desert, many cacti perform the same function, both dead and living…
So glad you enjoyed it Eugene and that you now understand the term nurse log! The cycle of life is an amazing thing to witness!
I, too, had not heard that term and it surely makes sense. I do want to take the moment to tip toe into what might seem to be – right now during this pandemic – something very unfortunate about the metaphoric term co-opted by botanists or environmentalists: We don’t want the metaphor to suggest that it is OK for our nurses and other health care warriors in this epic epidemic to be seen as sacrificial casualties.
Of course, Carol, it’s clearly not your intent. But I did hear an internal voice murmuring, “YIKES!!!”
Definitely not my intent Eric to suggest our healthcare workers be casualties. I simply wanted to make the point that in both cases the sacrifices are real and both are striving to support life. Thanks for pointing out what could have been misunderstood wording.
By the way, I do love that stump planting! There is something really engaging about that idea…. and I’m eyeing a quickly decaying stump of an old silver maple in my neighbors yard that would look spectacular similarly planted.
I’m so excited you have your eye on a stump to plant. I have no doubt it will be a work of art!
Love the photos and info…wish we lived closer my friend🌻
Me too Diane. Hope you are holding up okay.
I appreciate your post and your sensitivity to nature and environs. The commentary about the spic and span landscape so many suburbanites think is the epitome of beauty is indeed laughable. Especially when they’re infusing their lawns with chemicals to outdo their neighbors. Thanks again, CVer.
Hope you are well during this time –
Thanks Tom, I appreciate your observations and your taking the time to comment – stay well.
Timely and poignant. Another informative and enjoyable blog. Keep up the great work friend!
Thank for the kind words Ninette!
I loved all the posts, but this one caught me. Nurse logs, the “healers of the forest,” — what a great term and a wonderful reminder of how all things and people are dependent on the care and nurturing of others (things and people). Enjoyed it all. Stay well, my friend.
Thanks for your insight Cathy. We are dependent on each other; care and kindness are key. Stay well yourself and happy retirement!