The Nature Conservancy in Delaware

Acorns don’t fall far from the tree. Nor do seeds of Delaware’s native trees and shrubs. If nature is allowed to take its course, the seeds get carried with the wind until landing and settling in for the long-term, and eventually becoming mature forest. In technical terms, the process is called “succession.” However, some species don’t have time to wait for former farm fields to transform into native trees and shrubs mature enough to provide food and shelter. Planting habitat islands accelerates this process. Once in place, these “instant habitats” attract the small mammals and birds that continue the process of succession by spreading native seeds in flight and through droppings.