Some trees growing in nutrient-poor soil may get what they need by cultivating specific microbes to create compounds they need. These microbes are very efficient at turning inorganic minerals into nutrients. Think of it as a health savings account
for forests!

Certain microbes are efficient at breaking down inorganic minerals into nutrients. This process is called mineral weathering. It is especially important in acidic forest soils where tree growth is often limited due to a lack of these nutrients.