If you’ve lived in Wisconsin for any length of time, you know summer weather can be unpredictable.
One week may bring soaking rains. The next, days of hot, dry weather. Add in strong thunderstorms, gusty winds, and stretches of high heat and humidity, and it’s easy to see why gardens sometimes struggle by midsummer.
Yet healthy woodlands continue to thrive through these changing conditions.
That’s because a woodland isn’t simply a collection of trees. It’s a connected ecosystem that has evolved over thousands of years to adapt, recover, and support itself through changing weather.
At the Garden, Woodland Wonders presented by Selner Tree & Shrub Care celebrates these remarkable systems and invites you to discover how every layer of a woodland contributes to its resilience.
Trees Are Nature’s First Line of Defense
The most visible feature of any woodland is its canopy. It does much more than provide shade.
Tree leaves intercept heavy rainfall, softening its impact before it reaches the ground. Their branches reduce wind speeds, while their shade keeps both soil and surrounding air cooler on hot summer days.
Trees also cool the landscape through transpiration. This is process where they release water vapor through their leaves and help moderate temperatures naturally.
Together, these processes create a more stable environment for everything growing beneath them.
Healthy Soil Holds the Woodland Together
One of the woodland’s greatest strengths isn’t visible at all.
Over many years, fallen leaves, decaying wood, roots, fungi, and countless soil organisms build rich organic matter. This creates soil that behaves almost like a sponge.
During heavy rains, it absorbs and slows water instead of allowing it to run off quickly.
During dry periods, it stores moisture longer, giving plants access to water when they need it most.
Healthy soil doesn’t happen overnight. It develops through years of natural cycles.
Every Layer Has a Job
A woodland works because every layer supports the others.
Towering trees form the canopy above.
Smaller trees and shrubs fill the spaces below.
Groundcovers, ferns, sedges, and woodland flowers protect the forest floor.
Even fallen leaves continue to work long after they’ve dropped, helping regulate soil temperature and returning nutrients as they decompose.
These layers don’t compete! They create a stronger, more stable ecosystem together.
Strong Roots Build Strong Forests
Much of a woodland’s resilience comes from what we can’t see happening underground.
Tree roots spread widely beneath the soil, helping anchor trees during storms while absorbing water and nutrients. At the same time, many roots form partnerships with beneficial fungi that improve access to moisture and essential minerals.
These underground connections help woodlands recover from stress and continue growing even when weather conditions become challenging.
Diversity Is Nature’s Safety Net
No healthy Wisconsin woodland is made up of a single plant.
Instead, dozens and even hundreds of different species grow together.
This diversity helps woodlands respond to challenges. If one species struggles with drought, insects, or disease, others continue providing food, shelter, and habitat for wildlife.
The result is an ecosystem that’s better equipped to recover from disturbances over time.
Bringing Woodland Wisdom Home
You don’t need a forest to borrow these ideas.
Home gardeners can build more resilient landscapes by working with nature instead of against it.
Consider:
- Planting native trees and shrubs suited to Wisconsin’s climate.
- Adding layers of native perennials and groundcovers.
- Leaving some fallen leaves beneath trees to enrich the soil.
- Applying mulch to help conserve moisture.
- Increasing plant diversity instead of relying on just a few species.
These simple practices can help gardens better withstand heat, drought, heavy rain, and changing conditions.
See Resilience in Action at Woodland Wonders
Extreme weather isn’t new to Wisconsin. Our forests have been adapting to changing conditions for thousands of years.
As you explore Woodland Wonders, look beyond the flowers and notice how the landscape works together.
See how towering trees create shade for the plants below. Observe how groundcovers protect the soil, how different textures and layers share space, and how the woodland changes as the season progresses. The exhibit isn’t just a celebration of beautiful gardens — it’s an invitation to understand why woodlands have endured for generations and what they can teach us about building healthier, more resilient landscapes.
