Tree Wrought

An ecosystem approach to tree care recognizes the fundamental role that trees play in the landscape. Whether the landscape is a backyard, an urban park, a street side, or a forest, each and every tree both contributes to and makes up a part of the local ecosystem. Being ecological is not something that exists in some things and not in others—even a half dead maple tree in the middle of a shopping center parking lot is being ecological in that it still offers habitat to the fungus digesting its dead wood and the insects that find habitat in its rotted trunk and limbs, as well as the birds that feed on those insects.  

In fact, a large, old tree that has had parts of its trunk hollowed out and some of its limbs die offers critical habitat to a plethora of wildlife, from microorganisms, fungi, and insects, to birds, mammals, and even reptiles and amphibians. So when people cut out the dead parts of a tree, or remove trees in decline, they also remove the habitat that various forms of life depend upon.  

Which brings us to the next question…

Deadwood is a term used to refer to any and all dead branches or limbs up in a tree or down on the ground. Snags are standing dead (or mostly dead) trees. They might have most of their canopy intact, or only a few stubs left leaving the tree down to its monolithic trunk. Coarse woody debris is an ecological term used to describe downed branches and trunks slowly rotting away on the ground which is important for soil nutrient recycling.

All of these woody features constitute wildlife habitat, and the more diverse the features the more diverse the habitat which tends to increase the potential for biodiversity. Thus, by preserving these habitat features, one is promoting biodiversity and supporting their local ecosystem. In addition, as deadwood breaks down into the soil, it introduces nutrients and provides habitat to beneficial microorganisms (part of the carbon cycle) that enhance soil health and, in turn, supports tree health. In a nutshell, this is also why applying mulch around the base of trees is such an effective way to promote tree health.