Of Oaks and Eagles, and Lichen

Are oaks, eagles, and lichen related?  Yes! They are “keystone species.”

These species are organisms that have a huge impact upon an ecosystem. Larger than their abundance in that system would suggest. They keep nature’s systems healthy and producing food for all other living organisms. Keystone species are found everywhere from the microscopic systems in soils to the macroscopic like large oaks in the landscape. Even air has a keystone species! Lichen.

As the earth is an ecosystem, so is our personal landscape, our neighborhood’s, and the local park. It matters how we care for each component and what we plant, allow to grow, and nurture.  While we tend to think of grand gestures, even small improvements add up and nature responds!

The cool thing here is that we already have the instruction manual! Native plants and soils. They have been working for us for millennia.

If you’ve got just a small apartment deck or patio to work with, add a few native plants like Beautyberry, Winecup, or Rockrose in pots. Use an olla so watering is a breeze.

A small yard? Improve your soil ecosystem and water usage by top dressing with MicroLife products. Tuck a few natives like agave or Inland Sea Oats in a corner as well and add mulch to bare soil. For larger areas, consider adding a tree. A Texas Live oak is an excellent choice to provide a home to as many as 2300 species!

Make your yard part of the Homegrown National Park Network. This group provides resources to turn your landscape into a thriving oasis generating biodiversity and a home to native populations.

Come by Leaf Landscape Supply and let us help you add more life to your space!