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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MATERIALS

• Scavenger hunt checklist
• Pencils

PROCEDURE

1. Discuss what a wildlife tree is and why it is important to songbirds. Make sure that the students can recognize these trees.

2. Take the students to a forest ecosystem for a wildlife tree scavenger hunt. Divide the students into small groups and give each group a copy of the following checklist:

____a coniferous wildlife tree

____a hunting perch

____a stump

____a cavity that could be used by a cavity-nesting bird

____a deciduous wildlife tree

____an open nest

____a living tree with dead branches at the top (spike top)

____a bird hunting for insects

____a rotting log on the forest floor

____a singing wildlife tree

3. Remind them to show caution and have respect for the environment (see Activity : The Big Day)

*adapted from a similar activity "Wildlife Tree Scavenger Hunt" found in the Project WILD activity book Wildlife Trees of British Columbia.

Located at:
675 Belleville Street,
Victoria, British Columbia,
CANADA