Why Is the Ground Dry Under Trees After Dew ?

#permaculture #waterharvesting #trees
In this Q&A video, Geoff explains why dew can disappear under trees first, and what that reveals about how trees capture, direct and conserve precious moisture in dry seasons.

This lesson is taken from Geoff’s 2021 Online Permaculture Design Course, which includes weekly Q&A sessions where he answers student questions and helps bring permaculture design principles to life. Learn more about Geoff’s courses at: https://www.discoverpermaculture.com

Key Takeaways:

00:00:04 - 00:00:27: Gemma frames the observation: open grass was wet with dew, while the ground under nearby trees stayed completely dry.
00:00:27 - 00:01:23: Geoff explains the tree canopy captures condensation first; as the tree hydrates, leaves can funnel moisture inward, often toward the taproot, before drip appears below.
00:01:23 - 00:01:41: The tree still benefits the wider system by shading soil, buffering wind, adding organic matter and lowering evaporation before allowing more through-fall.