NURSE LOGS

ECO-ART NURSE LOGS

MYTH: "Old rotten logs pose a risk to the forest because they can spread disease and harmful pathogens. We need to remove the old wood for the health of the trees." FALSE, FALSE, FALSE, FALSE. I KNOW OF NO SCIENTIFIC DATA TO SUPPORT THIS MAJOR MISCONCEPTION.

Eco-Art Nurse Logs:

What Are they?

They are logs preferably no less than 4' long and 3/4 feet in diameter.

They are either rotten or in the process of rotting.

In nature they are common in undisturbed healthy forest (see Modern Forestry).

What do they do?

They can increase the vitality of your trees in several ways. The first and most important is that they are moisture reserves for your trees and their associates during dry spells. Yes, the rotten log acts as a big sponge would. Microorganisms associated with the tree extend the connection into the nurse logs. Another way is that property owners can plant flowers, ferns and even little trees within the logs. Thus, will offer an alternative to planting them at the base of the tree. (See below *)

The log will also offer a winter resource for shelter for beneficial microorganisms.

Where do they go?

They are best placed somewhere in the root zone area of your tree or trees. Soil contact must be made and the nurse log left in place.

How do we care for the eco-art nurse log once we have one?

Flowers, ferns or small trees may be planted in the log depending on the amount of sun light and the requirements of the certain types of plants. An example is if the log is shaded most of the time, ferns might be a proper selection.

However, we do request that the planting be limited to in the log and not around the base of the log. The reason being that we are trying to discourage the planting of the flowers in the soil under the tree due to proper research showing substantial amount on injury to the tree by that method.

Due to the fact that the log will act as a sponge, the plants may or may not need to be watered depending upon the weather. If the plants (flowers) require water it does not always mean the tree does. However, one thing to keep in mind is that during drought the biggest water related problem is over watering.

If any fertilizing is done we highly suggest organic materials only.

* Many young trees, especially young birch trees, very often suffer from what we now know, world wide, as "flowers disease." People choose a tree as the perfect site for a spring garden. We all have seen hundreds of bulbs and annuals planted around young trees. We then see insect borers or twig dieback along with sun scold and frost cracks. Most of the trees usually die. During the planting of the flowers or bulbs they injure the roots and they usually heavily fertilize the plants. Even more injurious each year is cultivating the soil around the tree. The only treatment is to be on guard and keep the trees well watered while removing dying wood properly.

Note: Choosing flowers that would do well in the shade would then be wise. Some of the plants that have done well in S.E. Pennsylvania are Impatiens and ferns.

Eco-Art Page with images.

Diagrams from The Desk of John A. Keslick Jr.

ORGANIC FACT SHEET

John A. Keslick Jr.
Tree Biologist
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