5 reasons to keep some dead wood in your garden
A tree stump used as a flower bed. Image via The Washington Post.
When homeowners spy dead or dying trees in their yard, the typical reaction is to bring out the heavy artillery: a chain saw followed in short order by a woodchipper and a stump grinder. Before you know it, there’s little to no sign that the tree ever existed.
But thanks to the growing recognition that having some dead wood around supports local wildlife and builds soil health, more gardeners are leaving logs, tree limbs, stumps and snags in their yards. Here are five reasons to keep dead wood around, along with recommendations from an arborist and a garden designer on how to make the most of those old trees.