# Terrain Provider The **Terrain Provider** component connects a Unity `Terrain` object to the [FloraSystem](https://flora.magneticarcade.com/scripts/system), enabling Flora to take over **tree** and **detail mesh** rendering. > This component is typically added automatically when the [SceneSettings](https://flora.magneticarcade.com/scripts/scene-settings) singleton is present and **Auto Register Terrains** is enabled. > > **Scope:** This page applies to Unity `Terrain` integration (terrain trees/details).\ > For non-Terrain workflows, use [Instance Container](https://flora.magneticarcade.com/scripts/instance-container) or [Instance Renderer](https://flora.magneticarcade.com/scripts/instance-renderer). See [Container Samples](https://flora.magneticarcade.com/samples/container-samples). *** ## Trees Tree instances are **loaded** from the terrain when a camera, and its far plane, are within distance of the terrain’s [`treeDistance`](https://docs.unity3d.com/ScriptReference/Terrain-treeDistance.html) value.
Terrain tree distance UI
*** ## Details Detail instances (e.g. grass, rocks, debris) are loaded when a camera, and its far plane, are within the terrain’s [`detailObjectDistance`](https://docs.unity3d.com/ScriptReference/Terrain-detailObjectDistance.html) range. * When a detail cell goes **out of range**, it is **unloaded after 3 seconds** * This helps reduce **GPU memory usage** in large terrain scenes > ⚠️ For large environments, keep **detailObjectDistance** at a reasonable level to avoid unnecessary memory usage. Unlike Unity’s built-in rendering system, Flora **supports detail meshes with LODGroups**. * If Flora is disabled, Unity will fall back to its built-in rendering * However, only the **first LOD mesh** will be used in that fallback path
Detail mesh preview with LODs