Old is Not Ugly

A dead tree, or snag, growing in a remnant patch of old growth forest in Nova Scotia. Photo by Tim Skelly.

MANY PEOPLE ARE AFRAID of old age these days. They might feel better if they spent more time around old, dead, and dying trees.

In the Q&A section of this blog, which is on the right-hand side of the page, I answered a question from a reader who was wondering whether she should go to a lot of trouble to try to save a much-loved tree from mistletoe. My response was fairly long, but the short version is, Probably not.

Why not? Trees are no different from other life forms: Just like us, they eventually get old and/or diseased and die. This can be tragic, especially if the tree is an example of a species under threat from an introduced disease or insect pest. But it doesn't have to be. Old trees show us that there is dignity and grandeur in old age. Dying and dead trees also make a vital contribution to all the life forms around them. Allowing a tree to decline and die with dignity can be a gift to nature and to yourself.

Many species of birds and small mammals rely on the cavities that form naturally in dying and dead trees as places to raise young and shelter from harsh weather. The "nest boxes" and "roost boxes" we humans put up are an attempt to provide birds with the equivalent of cavities in dead trees, but most animals prefer the natural cavities if they can find them. Unfortunately, because humans often cut down dead and dying trees, these animals have a tough time finding natural homes.

Even a stump of a dead tree has value. As they rot, stumps, fallen logs, and other "deadwood" become natural sponges, soaking up water that they will later release slowly, during dry weather. This helps to prevent flooding. It also provides a perfect environment for the seeds of many species of plants, including new trees, to germinate and grow. This photograph was taken in a patch of old growth forest in the Seattle area.

This photo, taken in the Seattle area, shows the remains of an American chestnut. Once common in the eastern United States, this species was affected by an fungal disease that was introduced on imported Asiatic chestnut trees. The disease has killed billions of trees, as a result of which the tree is now extremely rare. The owner of this tree made every effort to save it -- an appropriate step given that the trees are now rare -- but was unsuccessful. It is now incorporated in her garden as a piece of natural sculpture reminding visitors of the dangers posed by introduced species.

More natural sculpture: a snag in old-growth forest in Nova Scotia.

If a big old tree falls in an area inhabited area, the result can be damage to life or property. (So it's important to get a consultation from a trusted arborist if you think a tree might present a hazard.) But these events are natural and beneficial in the forest. The roots of a fallen tree, along with soil and other vegetation that was attached to the roots, are known as the "rootwad" or "root plane." This big mass of soil and decaying plant matter is great habitat for many animals and a good location for new plants to germinate and grow. Photo by Tim Skelly.

When a root plane lifts up out of the soil, it often leaves a shallow depression behind. This small, sheltered pond is ideal habitat for amphibians. Photo by Tim Skelly.

This is the end: This photo shows the forest floor in an area of old-growth forest near to a lake. The open area over the lake exposes this part of the forest to high winds, so many trees have fallen down. As they decompose and are covered by mosses and other vegetation, the forest floor takes on what ecologists refer to as "pit and mound architecture." The uneven terrain creates a wide variety of habitats, referred to as "microhabitats," that can support different small creatures and plants. Photo by Tim Skelly.

A drumroll please: Woodpeckers greet the spring

Spring announced itself with a rat-tat-tatting sound the other day. I was out fairly early on a sunny but cold morning when I heard the sound of a woodpecker hammering away at something. The very rapid rate of the rat-tat-tat (about 15 hits per second) meant that this woodpecker was most likely “drumming”—in other words, announcing his presence to other woodpeckers, especially any females who might be interested in setting up housekeeping with him.

This hard-hitting bird helps the forest and other animals

Woodpeckers are in a family of birds (Picidae) that have strong bills with a chisel-like end that allow them to drill into trees looking for insects to eat. They then use long sticky tongues to get the insects out. Their heads and brains are specially adapted to allow them to take repeated heavy blows without suffering brain damage. Strong claws and a stiff tail help the woodpecker brace itself on a tree trunk while it's hammering.

This ability to find and eat tree-damaging insects makes woodpeckers an important contributor to forest health. (Once upon a time it was thought that woodpeckers hurt the trees they drilled, but it’s now known that the opposite is true. Our forests would be much less healthy without woodpeckers and other insect-eating birds.)

Woodpeckers also play a very important role helping other forest creatures find places to nest and raise young. Woodpeckers use their special bills to excavate holes in dead and dying trees, which the woodpeckers use for nesting. In later years, after the woodpeckers have abandoned the holes, animals such as squirrels and other birds such as chickadees take them over for their own nests. Without woodpeckers and the dead and dying trees they nest in, many animals would be homeless.

Common woodpeckers include the tiny Downy and the large Flicker

There are quite a lot of different woodpeckers seen in North America, but "backyard birders" most often see Downy woodpeckers and Hairy woodpeckers, both of which come to feeders. Like most woodpeckers, Downy and Hairy woodpeckers are black and white with red on the head (at least in the males). The Downy woodpecker is quite small, only 16-18 cm (6-7 inches) long. The hairy woodpecker is much larger at 24-25 cm (9-10 inches).

Gardeners also see Flickers, which are large (30-33 cm) and easy to recognize because they are a sort of beige or buff color with red across the back of the head. On “yellow-shafted” flickers, which are most often seen in eastern North America, the underside of the tail and wings is golden yellow. On "red-shafted" flickers, most often seen in the West, these areas are brick red. Flickers are often seen feeding on the ground, where they are looking for ants, one of their favorite foods.

In my gardens on both the West and East coasts, I've been very fortunate to also see Pileated woodpeckers. These are very large (43-50 cm) birds with very noticeable red crest on the head. They resemble and also sound like the cartoon character “Woody Woodpecker”. The first time you hear the "ha ha ha ha ha" sound of a Piletated woodpecker, you'll know exactly where the cartoonists got the idea for Woody's famous call!

Pileated woodpeckers were once considered to be birds of old-growth forest but they seem to be adapting somewhat to life around humans. Because of their size, however, they are dependent on having large trees to nest in.

Why is this bird banging on my house?

At this time of year homeowners sometimes complain that woodpeckers are hammering on their homes. The woodpecker may be looking for insects, so the woodpecker may be doing you a favor by alerting you to a potential problem. If a woodpecker is looking for insects in your siding, the pecking sound will not be a steady beat. The woodpecker will tap on the siding then wait and listen for sounds that might indicate there are insects inside, drilling only if it thinks there might be food within.

But as I mentioned earlier, in spring woodpeckers also drum on hollow trees and other objects in order to make a loud noise. If they can’t find a hollow tree, they’ll look for something else that makes a satisfying sound—including a metal chimney on your house. Since a favorite time for drumming is early in the morning, homeowners whose chimneys are being used for these jam sessions can get pretty annoyed.

The best way to prevent woodpeckers from bothering your house is to leave plenty of dead or decaying trees (known as snags) in the landscape (as long as you can do so without creating a hazard). Like a lot of animals, woodpeckers are much less likely to bother humans if they can find what they need in nature. Snags are very important to a wide range of animals, so leaving them is one of the most important things anyone can do to help wildlife.

If you are not using a chimney, you can discourage a woodpecker from drumming on it by muffling the sound. This can be done by wrapping the chimney in burlap. (But only if you’re not using it!) Shiny mylar “scare tape” or “scare balloons”, which are available from many nurseries to keep birds away from fruit trees, or hanging aluminum pie pans will sometimes scare them off.

If all else fails, keep in mind that woodpeckers only practice their drumming during nesting season, so you will only have to put up with the noise for a month or two. The benefits woodpeckers bring to our forests and our fellow creatures is surely worth a short spell of early morning drumming. Personally I think it’s one of the cheeriest sounds I know, as it tells me that spring is definitely here.

Please note: I originally wrote a shorter version of this article for The Jazz-ine, an e-newsletter circulated in my part of Nova Scotia.

A Land Steward's "Don't Do" List

Why would you go to the trouble of removing a dead tree, stump, or fallen log, when it makes such a great garden sculpture?

IN WINTER, MANY HOMEOWNERS DREAM BIG. There's nothing like cold to bring out plans for ambitious projects, landscaping and otherwise.

I was reminded of this when I ran across a brochure I wrote several years ago for the Thurston County (Washington) Native Plant Salvage Project with a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10. Titled "A 'Don't Do' List for Land Stewards," the brochure explained that many of the activities landowners believe they "have to do" actually aren't necessary and may even be unsafe and/or bad for the environment. Plus they cost time and money!

Taken from that brochure, here's a list of ambitious projects that it probably would be best to try not think about this winter:

1. Drastic changes of any type. Work with--don't try to change--natural features such as wet areas and slopes. Remember this natural landscaping rule: Don't fight the site!


2. Installing a large (or any) lawn. Native plants are much easier to maintain, and friendlier to the environment.


3. "Landscraping." Avoid any project that involves removing native vegetation or soils. If you absolutely must remove soil in order to build a structure, store plants and soil during construction and replace them later.


4. Landscaping of any area that isn't used. Why saddle yourself with maintenance of an area you're not going to use?


5. Paving. Hard, nonporous surfaces contribute to runoff, which in turn can contribute to pollution of waterways, to say nothing of drainage problems around your home. If you need a parking or other solid surface, consider using one of the modern surfacing materials that allow water to soak through the surface instead of running off.


6. Removal of standing dead or dying trees, stumps, or fallen logs. Dead wood is very important habitat for birds and other wildlife, helps to provide the kind of environment in which native plants will thrive, and adds interest to your garden. Unless a snag (standing dead tree) presents a hazard, let it be.


7. Removal of rocks and other yard "waste." Rocks and brushpiles are excellent wildlife habitat.


8. Heavy pruning. Trees and shrubs generally make better wildlife habitat, and are more natural looking, if they are not pruned. Pruning during nesting season can cause birds to abandon their nests.


9. Trying to be "perfect." Many of today's conventional ideas about what constitutes a "perfect" landscape have their origins in efforts to imitate the British upper classes of the pre-war era. Others can be traced back to more middle-class notions--but the notions in question are still British, and more than 100 years out of date. These approaches to land management are completely inappropriate to North America in the 21st century, and it's long past time for homeowners to start breaking away from them.

The Ingredients of a Wildlife-Friendly Garden

HERE ARE SOME of the basic ingredients of a wildlife-friendly garden:

Food: You can provide food for birds (and probably squirrels and other animals too) simply by hanging out a bird feeder. But most wild gardeners also try to grow plants that produce nuts, berries, nectar, pollen, and sap that birds and other animals like to eat.

Clean water: All animals need water year-round. (Birds require water not just for drinking but also for bathing, to keep their feathers groomed.) A birdbath, particularly one that is kept thawed in winter, is welcomed by birds and often by other animals as well. Some people build ponds for wildlife; though a large, deep pond is a big project, a shallow pond suitable for birds can be built (using a liner) in just a few hours. Providing clean water also means keeping existing water sources clean – free of herbicides, pesticides, and other contaminants – and not allowing the banks of streams and ponds to be eroded.

Shelter: Animals also need somewhere to raise their young, hide from predators, and shelter themselves from cold. Many people provide birds with nest boxes (also known as bird houses) for nesting or “roost boxes” for winter protection. However, planting the right trees and shrubs can be an even more effective way of providing shelter for animals. Evergreen plants -- pines, junipers, cedars, yews – provide good winter shelter.

If you have a place for them, rock piles and brush piles also make wonderful shelter for animals. (Instead of hauling away brush the next time you prune, try piling it in an inconspicuous corner of your yard.) A dead tree – or “snag” – is considered highly desirable real estate by woodpeckers and many other creatures. If a tree dies on your property, are you sure you want to spend money to have it removed? As long as it doesn’t present a safety hazard, consider leaving it -- the animals will thank you.

Minimizing harmful practices: In gardening as in the rest of life, often what you don’t do is as important as what you do. For instance, wildlife-friendly gardeners try not to use pesticides, which kill beneficial insects along with the pests we are trying to target. (Most of us find that the birds and beneficial insects we attract to our pesticide-free yards eventually take care of most garden pests for us.)