The apple trees at the end of the garden are thinking about losing their leaves, which will fall and decay, locking carbon into the soil and feeding the soil food web. Meanwhile, the trees will go into a sort of hibernation, drawing their energy down and into their roots to wait out the winter. Come spring, the sap will rise up again as the trees’ energy moves up and out, bursting into blossoms and leaves.
By shaking off their leaves, feeding the soil, which in turn supports the trees and other plants, their ‘death’ gives fuel for new life. In early spring, before the trees come back into full leaf, wild garlic, crocuses, daffodils and snowdrops will carpet the floor, bursting through the decaying leaf litter.
The trees’ rest gives…
