Importance of weeds

What is meant by the word 'weed'? Any unwanted plant is termed as a weed. For instance, a tomato sapling growing in a lawn is a weed; and also lawn grass growing in a bed of tomatoes in a kitchen garden is a weed.

The so called weeds in nature play very important role. We all know importance of trees. But in certain cases, these lowly weeds and the small shrubs, creepers are the only ones who can protect soil erosion, more than the trees. On steep slopes and on rocky areas trees cannot grow easily, but the weeds, shrubs and creepers can grow densely and prevent erosion. Decaying, dying weeds enrich soil. The crevices in the rocky areas get rich with humus, in which, at later stage, trees can get proper hold. On the steep slopes of hills, not trees, but mainly the weeds, shrubs and creepers are capable of controlling soil erosion.

Even if trees grow very densely, they cannot prevent soil erosion completely. Under the dense growth of trees, weeds, small shrubs and creepers find difficult to sustain. Though the impact of raindrops is borne by the trees, rainwater does fall on the bare ground under the trees. If the ground is level, some rainwater percolates in the ground. But in heavy rains, water flows and is capable of carrying top soil with it. On the slopes this accelerates the speed of soil erosion. Accompanying photographs can give better idea of my theory.

Soil erosion under a tree

In my profession as horticultural consultant, I come across many farmland owners, who spend a lot in removing weeds every year. No land should be denuded of any weeds unless some other plantation is to be done on the cleared spot. To protect the tree saplings from wildfire it is a common practice of these farmland owners to cut all the weeds after the rains. This is absolutely unnecessary. Weeds around each tree sapling should be removed so that about 6 meters diameter open circle is formed. Thus even if wildfire starts; the tree saplings stand protected.