Old dead trees harbor hundreds of life forms, and the woodpeckers of Illinois are among the beneficiaries of these natural condominiums.
Dead trees provide nesting cavities for many birds and animals, including woodpeckers. They also provide food through the dozens of types of insects involved in the process of decomposition. Pileated woodpeckers, for example, drill oval-shaped holes in their search for carpenter ants. Others may search for insect eggs and other treats hidden in the loosening bark.
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Because hardwood trees like oaks take hundreds of years to mature and die, these naturally created homes can take more than a human lifetime to replace.
Consider leaving dead trees that do not pose a threat to property or safety. In cities, dead trees are removed for safety reasons. Those with acreages in the country, however, may be able to leave at least a portion of the trunk for wildlife habitat.
Click here for more about the value of dead trees.
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