Tree Snags and Rotting Logs

Forests are filled with an enormous quantity of deadwood in all stages of decay.  Fallen twigs, dead standing tree, and dead branches are all examples. There is even deadwood found in living trees. Up to 40% of the forest biomass may be deadwood. All of this deadwood provides a wealth of potential habitats for both plants and animals. When deadwood is removed from forest habitats, they destroy habitats of so many plants and animals.  At Landis Woods, deadwood is left in the forest unless it makes the trail impassable.

In forest ecology, a snag refers to a standing, dead or dying tree, often missing a top or most of the smaller branches. Animals find shelter in snags. Cavities, which have formed in the heart of a tree from disease or from the loss of limbs, provide a place to nest for woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, bluebirds, owls, wrens, tree swallows, and many other birds as well as raccoons and squirrels. Snakes use tree cavities to shed their skin. Inside a tree, the snake is well hidden during this very vulnerable time. Woodpeckers can actively excavate a nesting cavity in the softwood of a dead tree. When they move out of their hole, other animals can enlarge the entrance and move in. Bats may also roost in tree cavities. Some bat species prefer to roost under the loose bark of a dead tree. The brown creeper, a small forest bird, will also nest under loose bark. Some hawks and the great horned owl will nest on top of very tall snags. Ospreys will also nest atop snags near water. Cavities and loose bark can also serve a safe place for butterflies and moths to hibernate or metamorphose.

Snags are also home to many insects, which help with decomposition. These insects are important parts of the food chain and become food for birds, reptiles, and mammals. Animals also eat the fungus growing on trees. Besides using snags to find food, some animals use cavities and loose bark to store food. Snags with bare branches are great perches for hawks, eagles, vultures, and other carnivorous birds. Mockingbirds will also use a branch as a singing stage.