I'm curious and I can't figure out a scientific explanation for this, and perhaps how I can apply this perhaps in other areas of gardening.
We had some neglected apple trees pruned about 2 months ago, it was pretty intensive as they hadn't been pruned in about 7 years.
I noticed recently that the grass surrounding the piles of branches (varying in size from rotten logs to fresher branches sunlight) is growing thicker and taller than the rest of the grass.
I thought maybe this is sort of like an above ground hugelkultur affect, but at this stage, the prunings would be dying off and therefore taking in nitrogen, is this correct? So wouldn't the grass around it actually be stunted, or no?

Maybe they are collecting dew and providing extra water? Has it been dry in your area?

I noticed the same thing - we had a pile of cattle panels laying on the ground and the grass coming up through them was taller and thicker than anywhere else. I've read grass near any sort of barrier - fence, log on the ground, etc. will grow taller. Something about protection from the wind and drafts, I think.

Milo Jones wrote:Maybe they are collecting dew and providing extra water? Has it been dry in your area?

Yes lately it has been pretty dry.

Renate Haeckler wrote:I noticed the same thing - we had a pile of cattle panels laying on the ground and the grass coming up through them was taller and thicker than anywhere else. I've read grass near any sort of barrier - fence, log on the ground, etc. will grow taller. Something about protection from the wind and drafts, I think.

Interesting.. I guess this satisfies my curiosity!

What do you do with tree prunings? It's too late to burn. Any harm in burying if I plan to plant in the future?

Renate Haeckler wrote:I noticed the same thing - we had a pile of cattle panels laying on the ground and the grass coming up through them was taller and thicker than anywhere else. I've read grass near any sort of barrier - fence, log on the ground, etc. will grow taller. Something about protection from the wind and drafts, I think.

Probably also keeps it from getting trampled and over the longer term, the soil from getting compacted.

Dont burn, bury and plant them with something !

I've noticed the same phenomena. I think it is subtle microclimate being created by the branches. Just my guess though.