When is being dead a good thing? When you’re a tree! Dead trees provide habitat for over one thousand species of animals nationwide. If still standing upright, a dead tree is called a snag. When it falls to the ground it becomes a log. Whether vertical or horizontal, dead trees play an important role for all types of wildlife. Raccoons, squirrels, bats, owls and slugs all take shelter in dead trees. As small plant life including mushrooms grow on the dead tree animals will be attracted to it as a food source. When mosses, lichens and fungi grow on the snag they assist in its decomposition. As the snag or log rots, its nutrients will be returned to the soil and will enrich it. Often times this area acts as a seedling nursery for new growth of trees. Hollow logs can provide shelter for a variety of mammals – shrews, chipmunks and foxes. Other species use the top of the log as a highway – deer mice – or a drumming site – ruffed grouse. Snakes will shelter alongside logs and turtle will bask on top of logs located near bodies of water. Many species of salamanders will also be attracted by the moist, decaying wood.
And, of course, there are the cavity nesting birds! Wood ducks, bluebirds and pileated woodpeckers will nest in cavities of snags. Limbs on snags also provide perches for raptors as well as momentary landing spots for flycatchers. Any dead tree that is too close to a home or building should be carefully evaluated and removed if it will potentially fall onto your home. The log can then be placed strategically elsewhere on your property. A pile of branches can act as a refuge for small animals too. Creating a wood pile can give small animals shelter from enemies and severe weather. If you can replant a new tree to replace the one that died be sure to plant a native species. If possible, plan for a variety of trees that can provide food throughout the year. A mixture of fruit and nut trees will feed animals through several seasons. And don’t forget evergreens! These trees are excellent at providing shelter in inclement weather, as well as seeds from their cones. The life cycle of trees, including the life they provide after death, can be a boost for wildlife and will also provide fun for your family as you observe the new life from your dead tree! Barb Revard