What type of trees are known as nurse trees?

Nurse trees play a crucial role in forest ecosystems by aiding the growth and survival of other plant species. Nitrogen-fixing trees are particularly important in this context because they have the unique ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can utilize. This process enriches the soil with nutrients, making it more conducive for the growth of other plants.

These trees often create a beneficial microenvironment for seedlings and other plants, offering shade, protection from wind, and improved soil fertility. By facilitating the establishment and growth of various species, nitrogen-fixing trees effectively act as "nurses" to younger and weaker plants, thereby supporting biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Other types of trees, such as fruit-bearing, coniferous, or deciduous trees, do not specifically have this function in a forest ecosystem, which is why they do not qualify as nurse trees in the same sense as nitrogen-fixing trees do.