Did you know that when you leave the dead tree stump in the yard, or you pile up the limbs that you pruned from your tree, you are going to bring more life to your yard? The typical reaction to a dead tree or limb is to cut it down and take it to the curb for yard waste pickup. But what if I told you that your dead wood will be more alive than the living plant ever was? As a matter of fact, leaving deadwood in our yards may be the next big thing!
Typically, when a tree dies, we "clean up" our yards by taking down the tree and having it hauled off to the landfill. But if we leave the stump, it will be food for hundreds of types of insects and fungi. It is for this reason that a tree becomes most alive after it dies.
Take pine trees, for example. There are 135 species of bark beetles, and only 5 of them are pests to living pine trees. Of those, only two species, the Southern pine bark and Black turpentine beetle, are pests here in Florida. So, the next time you see a dead tree, remember that it will be home to various fungi that are the first to break down the lignin, followed by insects such as beetles, bees, carpenter ants and other invertebrates like millipedes and earthworms. Insects that inhabit dead wood typically have specialized requirements.
Dead wood undergoes various stages of decomposition, and at each stage, distinct sets of decomposer insects are present. Dead trees also provide shelter for many birds, such as six types of woodpeckers, owls, chickadees, bluebirds, wrens, nuthatches and American kestrels. In addition to birds, there are also mammals, such as squirrels, including flying squirrels, as well as bats.
Another important note on this subject is that only native trees are more alive in death because only our native insects and organisms can decompose them. Non-native trees, on the other hand, will not decay, and the trunk and limbs will remain solid. When I learned of this, I realized that our Frazier fir Christmas tree, propped in the back corner of the yard, would remain that way forever. Therefore, it would make excellent wood to border a flower bed or walkway, as it will not decompose. That would also be the case for Brazilian pepper trees, which are an invasive species throughout Florida, as well as for all other non-native trees, such as tropical fruit trees and other non-native species.
I have mentioned insects, in general, but a special class of insects that would benefit from a pile of wood are our native bees, which are next in line for wood. Many of our native bees don't travel more than 50 square feet from where they are born, and none of them create a hive that they would protect! This list includes the carpenter, mason, furrow, solitary, and leaf-cutting bees.
There are also some misconceptions surrounding dead wood that you should be aware of. One is that bark beetles breed in dead trees, but this is not true in Florida. Our two bark beetles, the Southern pine and Black turpentine, only feed on the roots of living pine trees. Another argument against keeping dead wood in your yard is that dead trees should be removed due to the potential for termite infestations. If you do not stack dead wood against the house and you use Sentricon termite bait stations throughout your yard, your home should be protected from the termites.
Share dead wood's environmental value
For residents who live in an HOA, you may not be allowed to keep a dead tree or a woodpile on your property. If this is the case, get involved in your HOA and educate the other homeowners about the importance of dead wood in the environment. Additionally, consider keeping the dead wood in the backyard or incorporating it as an aesthetic feature in your landscape.
An internet search for wildlife tree signs will provide you with multiple choices to choose from. Another argument against leaving a dead tree is that it may fall on your house. For those of you who have a tall, dead tree near your home, have an ISA Certified Arborist cut your tree at a height that equals the two-thirds of the "Risk Distance," which is the distance between the base of the tree and the house. If the tree is located away from the house, have them cut the tree to 15 feet high to create a snag. Snags provide critical shelter, food, and nutrients that enhance biodiversity and support the ecosystem.
To find a local ISA Certified Arborist, follow this link: treesaregood.org/findanarborist. Beneath Search by Location, click the down arrow and choose the United States. On the next page, enter your zip code and click on "within" 25 miles, and click search. In the following table, look under the third column, Business, to find tree service companies you can call to come to your home to give you quotes for tree work.
If any or all of these ideas sound good, consider joining https://neighborwoodwatch.org to be counted. The website features an introductory video, as well as additional videos for your viewing and learning pleasure. When you sign up, you will be participating in a research study! Now is a great time to go outside and walk around your yard to see if anything needs trimming, so you can start a new wood pile.