The number of wildlife trees left during silviculture operations and how to keep wildlife trees available on site at all times are problematic issues in sustainable forest management. Most contractors are not aware of the importance of snag trees to the 20 species of birds that cavity nest in this province, or the many small mammals such as flying squirrels and red squirrels that make extensive use of cavities. Wildlife trees also provide important habitat for red-backed salamanders, many perching birds such as hawks and flycatchers, and a wide variety of insects. When they finally fall to the ground, these trees create homes for a variety of wildlife species, in addition to adding coarse woody debris to the site. Wildlife trees must be planned over the complete forest cycle, so that they are always available.

This winter we will start Phase I of a research project on wildlife trees. Using a variety of forested habitats at Macphail Woods and other woodlands, a research project will be set up to identify existing and potential wildlife trees, marking locations, estimate previous usage (whether for food or nesting) and describing surrounding forest conditions. We will also be reviewing literature on nest boxes and other practices to enhance woodlands limited by existing snag trees, such as drilling cavities in live or partially-dead trees. By March 31, we will have selected and mapped out 200 snag trees, with a description on species, size, condition, wildlife usage to date and surrounding forest habitat. We will also create a two-page handout for contractors and woodlot owners on the importance of leaving wildlife trees in forests.

Phase II of the project will continue for many years, and will involve simple monitoring of usage and longevity, as well as looking at the success of predictions.

2003-2004
The second phase of the wildlife trees project will survey the 210 trees whose locations have been logged by GPS and individual descriptions compiled and stored. Theses trees will be surveyed 3 times during the year, looking at what types of wildlife are present. Wildlife usage and conditions of the snags will be mapped into an existing computer program.