We are THRILLED to have the first in a series of online content articles contributed to Local by the Urban Forest Research and Ecological Disturbance Group or UFRED. This one talks about why it is a good idea to leave some dead wood in your yard when cleaning up your trees. It was submitted to us by UFRED team member Michelle Blake and we thank her for her time and energy in writing it up for us. Her team leader, Andrew Millward is an Associate Professor of Geography at Ryerson University. He grew up locally and has written articles for Local about the reforestation project in Kew Gardens Park and as well more recently about the invasion of Norway Maple into Glen Manor Ravine. We know that there is a lot of interest in our canopy and in trees and forests in the east end where we all live so we were happy to bring Andrew and his team on board with some ongoing forestry content.
The Life in Your Backyard’s Deadwood
By Michelle Blake
Many people are aware of the ecological services of trees, but did you know that trees continue to benefit our ecosystems long after they have died? Many of these benefits, however, are lost to backyards, and to the neighbourhood, when residents prematurely remove dead and decaying wood. If you are a home or landowner contemplating removing fallen, dead or dying trees from your property, you may want to take another look and consider the many ecological benefits of keeping deadwood around.
Dead or dying trees, or large fragments of dead trees, often referred to as deadwood (sometimes snags when still standing), considerably increase the ecological function of a landscape. They serve as important habitats for a variety of organisms and support the health of our urban ecosystems. Unfortunately, deadwood is a frequently overlooked and scarcely retained feature in urban gardens.
Deadwood is used by a variety of fungi, mosses and insects, many of which form the base of the urban food web. As trees die, their bark gradually peels away, exposing the wood beneath. Fungi and microorganisms quickly inhabit these dead or dying trees, accelerating the decay process and helping to soften the wood. Insects with wood-boring larvae, such as beetles, lay their eggs within deadwood, allowing their larvae to access the soft wood to feed on.
The lively insect activity of deadwood is a food magnet for many species of birds. Generally, it is quite tough for birds to hollow out an opening in a live tree, but the soft wood of deadwood can be penetrated with minimal force. Insects living on and in deadwood are a highly sought after food source for many of the birds we love to glimpse in the urban environment, such as woodpeckers and bluebirds. Birds and other organisms, including squirrels, frogs and spiders, also rely on deadwood for nesting, shelter, overwintering locations and food storage. Even the dead branches of deadwood may serve as additional nesting sites and are perfect perches for birds. The actual location of the deadwood plays a hand in determining the organisms and species drawn to it.
Deadwood also greatly benefits the health of the plants in our backyards. As deadwood decomposes, valuable plant nutrients are delivered to the earth, helping to facilitate garden growth. At the start of their development, seedling trees and other plants may use deadwood for support and stability (where the deadwood is sometimes referred to as nursewood).
There are a variety of ways in which to incorporate deadwood into your garden or yard. First, you may simply leave any dead or dying trees standing. If they cannot be left standing, you can cut off the branches, leaving just the trunk, or cut the trunk into logs. These logs can be laid out on the ground of your garden or by the side of a shaded path. Large cut pieces can be arranged into valuable woodpiles and placed within shrub or flower beds. To establish the most ideal environment for organisms and plants, woodpiles should be organized into compact stacks and laid in moderately shaded conditions. Don’t hesitate to think of additional ways to add deadwood to your landscaping designs. Be creative!
When considering incorporating deadwood into your garden or yard, ensure that your deadwood is not a hazard to your property or people and that you are in accordance with your local tree bylaws and guidelines. Where you are unsure, contact a professional for advice. For more information on private tree management in Toronto, visit http://www.toronto.ca/trees/private_trees.htm.
In view of all the benefits that they provide to wildlife and our gardens, it is evident that your deadwood may not be so dead after all. Keeping fallen, dead or dying trees in your yard can be a great way to help support biodiversity and sustain nature in our city neighbourhoods. Keep up with monitoring the wonderful wildlife activity associated with your deadwood over the years and you will certainly bring out your inner nature aficionado.