The sound of a chainsaw was music to my ears. Not normally a sound that inspires awe, this chainsaw was being wielded by a super skilled habitat hollow maker.
There's an emerging trend to reduce the risk of older or damaged trees by strategically pruning problem limbs, carving crevices and slicing slots, creating habitat assets. It is proving to be a win for the local wildlife and the hip pocket.
A Hollows for Habitat forum held on 20/5/15 by the Greater Sydney Local Land Services, brought together practitioners, scientists and arborists to share techniques and lessons learned from trialling a variety of methods to enhance the habitat value of existing trees and logs.
To fell a 'dangerous tree' can cost thousands of dollars to remove the mass of timber off site and grind out a stump. To create a habitat hotel is a fraction of the cost with ongoing benefits for the local wildlife.
Habitat structures can be incorporated into a standing tree for parrots, possums or bats using strategic and species specific chainsaw cutting techniques to create spaces for the wildlife to occupy as well as promoting the creation of further habitat opportunities.
There was a practical demonstration of the chainsaw techniques conducted by the Kenyon brothers who have an 8 part series of movies on the techniques they use.
The April storms left many trees on the ground and many hollow bearing branches broken. Have you considered using these logs as features?
The Progress Association is investigating getting a specialist arborist in to undertake some habitat hollowing in fallen trees. Are you interested in having some logs modified for habitat at your place? Please contact Suzanne to express your interest. The more locals we can get the cheaper it will be.
Hollows for Habitat Forum Proceedings
A 42 page Proceedings is now available in .pdf at:
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