The goals of hazard tree management programs are to maximize public safety
and maintain a healthy sustainable tree resource. Although hazard tree
management frequently targets removal of trees or parts of trees that attract
wildlife, it can take into account a diversity of tree values. With just a
little extra planning, hazard tree management can be highly beneficial to
wildlife while maintaining the goals of the program. The objective of this
information guide is to provide considerations regarding wildlife when making
decisions during hazard tree assessments. The decision-making model provided
with this guide can be used as a tool during tree inspections.
|
What is the link between hazard tree management
and wildlife?
There are more than 120 species of birds, 140 kinds of mammals and 270 species
of reptiles and amphibians that nest and forage in dead or deteriorating trees.
Often in hazard tree management, it is the dead and deteriorating parts of a
tree, or the entire tree (such as a snag), that is removed. This can negatively
impact wildlife populations and species that are dependent on these trees as
essential habitat components. It is likely that these trees may not be replaced
for years. As the number of cavity trees decrease, wildlife species that depend
on cavities may disappear. |
| A tree that has: |
... a potential to fail
+ a potential to strike a target*
=hazard tree |
|
|
Why are considerations for wildlife
important?
Surveys demonstrate that wildlife is important to people. In a recent study,
landowners identified wildlife as a key reason for owning land. Other studies
show that, in urban areas, 93% of residents want to know how to attract
wildlife and support habitat, and each year 49 million people in the U.S. enjoy
feeding and watching birds. In addition, some threatened and endangered species
use snags, cavity trees, or dead and down logs as important habitat components.
When a tree dies, its usefulness does not end, its role simply changes.
|
| * A target is: |
| anything of value that a tree or part of a tree could strike when failure
occurs. (i.e. a person, structure, vehicle etc.) |
|
|
How to identify trees currently and potentially useful to wildlife.
| A few ways to identify trees
currently used by wildlife include: |
|
Trees potentially useful to
wildlife include: |
| 1. |
observations of wildlife using a tree |
.... |
1. |
trees with decay |
| 2. |
signs of wildlife use (existing cavities, dens or
current woodpecker activity in a tree) |
|
2. |
trees with fungal conks (a sign of decay) |
| 3. |
presence of fresh scat or bird droppings in, on or
around a tree |
|
3. |
trees with broken off tops and branches |
|
|
|
4. |
trees with old wounds or scars |
If a tree does not have a cavity , it can still be used by wildlife. Dead or
partially dead trees without cavities can provide foraging, perching and
nesting sites for non-cavity nesting species. |
Where and when is it appropriate to consider wildlife in hazard tree
management?
It is appropriate where and when human safety is not compromised. |
Who benefits by using hazard trees and for what purpose?
forage sites
woodpeckers |
perches
hawks
|
nest sites
chickadees, great blue herons, ospreys, wood ducks, mergansers, woodpeckers
|
den sites
raccoon, fisher, pine marten, porcupine, gray and flying squirrels, cottontail
rabbits, snowshoe hare, bear, bobcat |
singing perches
songbirds |
roost sites
bats, tree frogs |
|
|
 |
Prepared by: Mary Torsello, Pathologist and
Toni McLellan, Wildlife Biologist, USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area,
State & Private Forestry, Durham, NH |
 |
|
 |
|
PDF  |
