We have become somewhat obsessed with deadwood at Wildacres.

Mind you, we have become obsessed with Ponds, Woodland, Scrub, Wildflower Meadows, our River, Bats, Otters….. Okay focus…Back on track!

Since we started transforming Wildacres from 17.5 acres of overgrazed pastureland into a vibrant and thriving nature reserve, we have really begun to appreciate how important deadwood is and the sheer amount and variety of life that it supports.

When we talk about deadwood, we are talking about both standing and fallen deadwood.

Fallen deadwood in the form of whole trees that have fallen due to storms, or just because the tree has succumbed to disease or old age.

Or limbs of trees that have fallen similarly due to high winds.

Whilst standing deadwood takes the form of whole trees that have died, or perhaps just a section of a still living tree, that has died but has yet to fall for much the same reasons as previously outlined.

A dead limb of an Alder tree, peppered with Woodpecker feeding holes at Wildacres.

In death, deadwood becomes truly alive again as a dynamic habitat and biodiversity hot spot.

There are so many plants, animals and fungi that rely specifically on deadwood to complete all or part of their lifecycles. As well as a vast array of creatures that will forage for their food and live in, on and under deadwood.

We have had a culture and still do in places of the ‘Ultra Tidy Mindset’, which is not what nature wants or needs to flourish. This has manifested itself in the form of removing trees and branches as soon as they fall.

How many times have you seen a recently fallen tree and then heard soon after, the scream of a chainsaw. Hours later all that remains of what would have been an incredible wildlife habitat for years to come, is a light scattering of sawdust.

What a missed opportunity!

Common frogs will live under deadwood piles.

Now of course there are times when safety and transport requirements determine the speedy removal of fallen or overhanging dead trees. Though often, it is the requirement to have our outdoor spaces looking neat and tidy that results in the roar of the chainsaw and the destruction of a life-giving habitat.

If we understood and appreciated the true potential of deadwood to support a wealth of life, we would actively cherish it to a greater extent, wherever it is to be found.

To illustrate its importance, let’s look at a few of the many lifeforms that rely on deadwood.

We have our wonderful Great Spotted Woodpecker, recently having recolonised Ireland, here is a creature that thrives in areas containing good amounts of standing deadwood, it drills into the soft deadwood to extract the juicy larvae of some of the 274 beetle species, that rely on this habitat to complete their larval stage as burrowing grubs.

Great Spotted Woodpecker at Wildacres.

It also excavates its nest in standing deadwood, which means these nest holes in years to come will potentially provide a roost for some of our fascinating bat species, or a further nest site for many other species of bird as well as a sanctuary for many invertebrate species.

Beetle larvae in fallen deadwood at Wildacres.

In the older ancient trees of which sadly make up a tiny percentage of our already low level of native forestry, such sections of standing deadwood can have cavities that will provide vital nesting opportunities for Barn Owls and Starlings and more.

A cavity of deadwood in a healthy growing tree and a potential Nesting or Roosting site.

There are countless other lifeforms to be found in this most dynamic of habitats that is deadwood. From incredible fungi, numerous in species, forms and colours equally fascinating and stunning.

Turkey Ear Fungi – Trametes versicolor – at Wildacres.

Their role of breaking down the deadwood and releasing its nutrients back into the surrounding soil to be utilised by all manner of plants is not to be underestimated.

Devil’s Tooth Fungus – Aborti biennis – at Wildacres.

Then you have the all the animals that will shelter in and under fallen deadwood from Stoats, Pine Martens, Field Mice, Newts, Frogs and so many more fascinating creatures.

How to create a deadwood habitat in your outdoor space

Well, the good news is it’s so easy to do.

It can be of a  size to suit your outdoor space, from a couple of logs to a larger pile or any size in between.

In a shaded corner of a garden or if you have one, close to the edge of a pond (another incredible habitat for wildlife!), create a small (or large!) log pile.
This will be a mecca for wildlife.

Leave the area around it to grow uncut, to further enhance it as a refuge for biodiversity.

Deadwood pile and rockpile at edge of wildlife pond at Wildacres.

Common Frog emerging from a deadwood pile at Wildacres.

Another action, if not a safety hazard, is to allow standing deadwood to remain…… standing!

Both habitats will provide vital sanctuary and help retore our depleted biodiversity.

Also, like so many other actions to restore biodiversity, in creating your deadwood habitat and seeing the positive results it brings in increased biodiversity in your outdoor space, you will have that wonderful feeling of satisfaction knowing you are having a positive impact in helping wildlife.

Deadwood pile at Wildacres.

Yet another Deadwood pile at Wildacres.

Nature is not just nice to have, it is essential for our survival, our health and well-being. There are lots of actions we can take to protect and restore it, embracing deadwood is one of the top tips!

Enjoy the great outdoors and hope to see you soon at Wildacres.

You can find details of our Creating A Nature Reserve (of any size) Workshop here

Yours in nature

Brian and Gilly