Now that we have enjoyed the colorful foliage of October, we humans watch as leaves, twigs, needles and seedpods collect on our roofs, lawns, walkways and driveways throughout November. Of course, this natural plant material is referred to as "debris" only because it lands on our unnatural structures and surfaces.
Were it not for this seasonal rain of dead vegetation and seeds, we would not have forests. Even our suburban landscapes would be healthier if we were not so fastidious about cleaning it up. Offering nutrients for the parent plant as well as neighboring vegetation, the debris is recycled by fungi and a host of invertebrates. Of course, the seeds will yield new trees in the spring, often in areas where we may not want them (e.g. flower beds).
How we approach nature's life cycle is generally a reflection of how connected we feel with the natural world. By the end of the month, many will have bagged up and shipped off most of the material. Some of us just rearrange it a bit.
