> However, my attribution of gymnosperm-bad/angiosperm-good is a
> distinction Lemieux draws to highlight the differing soils created by the
> different forest systems
Understood; I think I was headed towards the idea that there's always
someorganism that benefits. And, certainly, the Ericaceous plants are of
increasing importance in agriculture, with the anti-oxidant characteristics
of their fruit becoming known. Nor is it just the soil acidity that's
important; they have their own fungal associates; my gardener friends feel
that non-conifer chips can be lethal, not just a poor choice. I think it's a
matter of beneficial or pathogenic fungi.