I love that you wrote about snags. Several years ago, one of two huge river birches in our small backyard died. We decided to leave it up. It wasn't in danger of falling on wires. Over the years, bits and pieces have fallen off the tree, but they are usually light and hollow, and we just add it to our stick pile (also good for wildlife). You would not believe the number of woodpeckers and other birds who have made their home in that snag. Neighbors - who normally might complain about a dead tree in the yard - have commented about the birds it attracts. Two years ago, when our maple tree in the front yard finally died (so sad - it provided so much shade for the house), we decided we would want to keep that one, too. This tree was close to the house and street, and so it wouldn't be safe to let it fall apart bit by bit. We had an arborist come out and cut off the limbs, leaving the trunk and a few big limb/branches off it. He said it would be a good 5 years before it rotted enough to cut it back more. Again, we have enjoyed watching the wildlife it attracts as it slowly rots - the bugs, the perches for the squirrels. Most people when they first see it comment and ask if we are going to take it down, But we are adamant about its place in our front yard. Building cities and neighborhoods is so detrimental to nature. I'm glad to do what I can to provide them a place to live and eat aside us.
I adore snags. There's one at the lake near my house, probably about 40 feet tall, and it's magnificent and sculptural. There are dozens of holes in it that are de facto apartments to birds, and we often see a bald eagle perched on top. When my beloved backyard birch tree had to be cut down last year, I had the arborists leave six feet of the trunk. Right now it still looks a bit clunky, but once it starts to break down it will look even better. Even if you don't have the space or desire for a full tree snag, you can get rounds of tree trunks and set them around the yard. We kept all the rounds from the birch, and now they're tucked in nooks behind bushes, and some of them are now plant stands. They'll break down eventually and provide just as good of a habitat to bugs as a full snag would.
<3 PictureThis, though it’s worth it to keep in mind that it will always give you an answer even though it may not be the *right* answer… If I can’t figure something out, I use iNaturalist and some lovely citizen scientist will chime in on what they think it is!
Also, glad to see snags getting more attention! I love the term “snag” also - much cool than “dead tree” ha.
I love that you wrote about snags. Several years ago, one of two huge river birches in our small backyard died. We decided to leave it up. It wasn't in danger of falling on wires. Over the years, bits and pieces have fallen off the tree, but they are usually light and hollow, and we just add it to our stick pile (also good for wildlife). You would not believe the number of woodpeckers and other birds who have made their home in that snag. Neighbors - who normally might complain about a dead tree in the yard - have commented about the birds it attracts. Two years ago, when our maple tree in the front yard finally died (so sad - it provided so much shade for the house), we decided we would want to keep that one, too. This tree was close to the house and street, and so it wouldn't be safe to let it fall apart bit by bit. We had an arborist come out and cut off the limbs, leaving the trunk and a few big limb/branches off it. He said it would be a good 5 years before it rotted enough to cut it back more. Again, we have enjoyed watching the wildlife it attracts as it slowly rots - the bugs, the perches for the squirrels. Most people when they first see it comment and ask if we are going to take it down, But we are adamant about its place in our front yard. Building cities and neighborhoods is so detrimental to nature. I'm glad to do what I can to provide them a place to live and eat aside us.
I adore snags. There's one at the lake near my house, probably about 40 feet tall, and it's magnificent and sculptural. There are dozens of holes in it that are de facto apartments to birds, and we often see a bald eagle perched on top. When my beloved backyard birch tree had to be cut down last year, I had the arborists leave six feet of the trunk. Right now it still looks a bit clunky, but once it starts to break down it will look even better. Even if you don't have the space or desire for a full tree snag, you can get rounds of tree trunks and set them around the yard. We kept all the rounds from the birch, and now they're tucked in nooks behind bushes, and some of them are now plant stands. They'll break down eventually and provide just as good of a habitat to bugs as a full snag would.
<3 PictureThis, though it’s worth it to keep in mind that it will always give you an answer even though it may not be the *right* answer… If I can’t figure something out, I use iNaturalist and some lovely citizen scientist will chime in on what they think it is!
Also, glad to see snags getting more attention! I love the term “snag” also - much cool than “dead tree” ha.