A deciduous meadow is a level meadow with many trees and shrubs. The deep roots of trees and shrubs bring nutrients from the subsoil up into the foliage. As the leaves fall to the ground and decay, the top layer of soil is supplied with nutrients. The trees and shrubs act as "nutrient pumps". However, there should not be so many trees and bushes that the herbs and grasses on the ground cannot grow and thrive. All the time the shadow moves across the ground as the sun moves across the sky, everyone gets a little light and a little shadow during the day. The shade of the trees and bushes can keep the drying sun from burning the flowers. Herbs and grass were cut and served as fodder for the animals. Trees and shrubs were harvested and the leaves served as fodder for the animals. But the wood of the trees and bushes was also used. The long, dry branches of the hazel were used to bind barrels, the cherries and apples were eaten, the pointed maple was used for rake handles and the ash for rake sticks. Production has been maximized and maintained on the green field! This deciduous meadow has long since grown again. However, the property owner has since thinned and cleared to allow many biologically valuable trees, shrubs and herbs to survive, even though the plain has stopped and the trees and shrubs are growing denser compared to when the meadow was operational. skogsstyrelsen.se/landsbygdprogrammet