Cavity Trees in your Woodlot

Today we are talking about… Cavity Trees!🦉🌲

Cavity trees are trees that contain one or more holes in the main tree stem, caused by several different disturbance agents. Typically, cavities are created when the top of a tree and/or its limbs break off, leaving the main stem vulnerable to disease, decay and/or excavation from species such as woodpeckers or wood-boring insects.

Although this is not great for the tree itself, cavities are essential habitat for many different species of wildlife: from songbirds to owls, and even sometimes mammals as large as coyotes!

Cavity trees can be commonly found in uneven-aged and mature forests and are very important to the overall biodiversity of the stand. Large diameter trees (particularly hardwoods) are known to make the best cavity trees because they can provide habitat for a larger range of species, and they take longer to break down because of their dense wood.🌳🍁

Although not always nice to look at… Cavity trees are an important feature to maintain on your woodlot whenever possible. That being said, they can also pose a safety risk during harvest and/or in frequently travelled areas. If safety is a concern and the tree must be cut- ensure that it is left on site to serve as coarse woody debris contribute to other important ecological processes.

Have you seen wildlife using these on your woodlot?🐾🦆