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BACKGROUND
What
is a Wildlife Tree?
In British Columbia, we have some of the most important forests in the
world. There are a wide variety of forest types and tree species; in fact
we have more species of plants and animals than any other province or
state in North America. After thousands of years of growth and development,
a complex forest ecosystem has developed, involving interactions between
birds, mammals, insects, fish, fungi, plants and the non-living environment.
Within the forest ecosystem, plants, like animals, are in many different
stages of their life cycle. The life cycle of a tree starts with germination
of a seedling; the seedling grows into a mature tree which then dies and
decays. During their lifetime, trees provide habitat, food and protection
for wildlife. Even after they die, trees are important to many kinds of
wildlife.
A "wildlife tree" is a standing dead or dying tree that provides habitat
for wildlife. These trees usually have dead or broken limbs and are also
called snags. Wildlife trees are created when trees die of old age or
are killed by insect attack, fire, disease, lightning, lack of light,
or poor growing conditions. As a tree decays, it becomes softer due to
the action of bacteria, insects and fungi. It also becomes smaller as
branches and parts of the trunk break off. Until recently, snags were
considered a dangerous nuisance and an eyesore by foresters and landscapers.
They were usually removed. Now we have come to realize the value of snags
to countless forms of wildlife, including cavity-nesting birds. Keeping
these trees is a positive step towards enhancing wildlife habitat.
Who uses Wildlife Trees?
 There
are over 90 different plants and animals in B.C. that use wildlife trees
for food, shelter, and resting places. Songbirds may forage for insects
in the decaying wood, nest in a cavity or perch on a leafless limb. A
tall wildlife tree may provide an ideal hunting perch; a wide trunk may
provide good nesting cavities.
Songbirds that use wildlife trees for nesting can be divided into two
categories: primary cavity excavators and secondary cavity users. Primary
cavity excavators use their bills to create a hollow nest site in the
decaying wood. Nuthatches and chickadees can bore their way into decaying
trees once the wood is soft enough. Secondary cavity users build their
nests in existing cavities. Some songbirds use wildlife trees to find
food, shelter and perching sites. The Olive-sided Flycatcher perches at
the tops of wildlife trees to hunt while the Brown Creeper gathers Bark
Beetles from crevices in the bark of wildlife trees. Here is a list describing
which songbirds use wildlife trees and what they need them for.
Table 1. Songbirds and Wildlife Trees
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Singing
Wildlife Trees
