- wildlife habitat, wildlife trees
Wildlife Trees
Trees, alive and dead provide habitat for wildlife. Trees that fall and decay in the forest add nutrients and retain moisture in the forest. Fallen trees are referred to as coarse woody debris. A tree's life-cycle moves from seed to seedling to tree to snag to decaying to dirt. Trees support the lives of many large and small organisms. Trees are used for food, shelter, and sites for reproduction. Many animals also use trees for resting, nesting and for places from which to hunt or capture prey.
Snags: Standing dead and dying trees, called “snags” are important for wildlife in both natural and land-scaped settings. They occur as a result of disease, lightning, fire, animal damage, too much shade, drought, root competition, as well as old age. Birds, small mammals, and other wildlife use snags for nests, nurseries, storage areas, foraging, roosting, and perching. Live trees with snag-like features, such as hollow trunks, excavated cavities, and dead branches can provide similar value to wildlife. Snags occurring along streams and shorelines eventually may fall into the water, adding important woody debris to the aquatic habitat. Dead branches are often used as perches; snags that lack limbs are often more decayed and may have more and larger cavities for shelter and nesting. Snags enhance local natural areas by attracting wildlife species that may not otherwise be found there.
Decaying Trees
Decaying logs retain moisture and nutrients that aid in new plant growth and support wildlife such as soil organisms (earthworms, beetles and other insects). Young trees may sprout from a single downed limb known as a nurse log. The soft wood tissue of a nurse log offers an ideal substrate for many young trees during their initial growth and development. Logs also store energy and fix nitrogen. Furthermore, dead wood serves as a ground cover, lessening soil erosion and preventing animals such as deer from over-browsing plant seedlings.
Wildlife trees become softer as fungi, bacteria, and wood boring insects eat and break down the wood.
Continue to explore wildlife and their connection to trees while watching the wildlife in your community. NWF’s Wildlife Watch program is a great way for you to learn more about wildlife in your community and see how many species you can find.
Trees, alive and dead provide habitat for wildlife. Trees that fall and decay in the forest add nutrients and retain moisture in the forest. Fallen trees are referred to as coarse woody debris. A tree's life-cycle moves from seed to seedling to tree to snag to decaying to dirt. Trees support the lives of many large and small organisms. Trees are used for food, shelter, and sites for reproduction. Many animals also use trees for resting, nesting and for places from which to hunt or capture prey.
Snags: Standing dead and dying trees, called “snags” are important for wildlife in both natural and land-scaped settings. They occur as a result of disease, lightning, fire, animal damage, too much shade, drought, root competition, as well as old age. Birds, small mammals, and other wildlife use snags for nests, nurseries, storage areas, foraging, roosting, and perching. Live trees with snag-like features, such as hollow trunks, excavated cavities, and dead branches can provide similar value to wildlife. Snags occurring along streams and shorelines eventually may fall into the water, adding important woody debris to the aquatic habitat. Dead branches are often used as perches; snags that lack limbs are often more decayed and may have more and larger cavities for shelter and nesting. Snags enhance local natural areas by attracting wildlife species that may not otherwise be found there.
Decaying Trees
Decaying logs retain moisture and nutrients that aid in new plant growth and support wildlife such as soil organisms (earthworms, beetles and other insects). Young trees may sprout from a single downed limb known as a nurse log. The soft wood tissue of a nurse log offers an ideal substrate for many young trees during their initial growth and development. Logs also store energy and fix nitrogen. Furthermore, dead wood serves as a ground cover, lessening soil erosion and preventing animals such as deer from over-browsing plant seedlings.
Wildlife trees become softer as fungi, bacteria, and wood boring insects eat and break down the wood.
Continue to explore wildlife and their connection to trees while watching the wildlife in your community. NWF’s Wildlife Watch program is a great way for you to learn more about wildlife in your community and see how many species you can find.