Don’t chop those old branches down

If you’re thinking of removing those dead branches, think again!

When we think of overhanging dead branches, we think ‘danger’ – that widowmaker could drop at any moment, wiping out everything below. But these bare branches can also play an important role in the life of a bird.

When we see a bird on a particular branch, they’ve chosen it for a reason. Many birds find it easier to rest on long, slightly inclined branches. And those with fewer leaves provide a clear line of sight for any prey that may be moving across the ground.

And it’s not just a clear vantage point that dead limbs provide for birds, they can be an important food source as well. Ageing trees attract a bevy of insects that breed in crevices and behind bark that can be a quick snack for any of our native birds.

Logs and brush piles created by fallen branches also play a valuable role for wildlife, providing smaller birds with shelter from the elements and predators.

If you do have to remove a dead branch for safety reasons, consider leaving some of the branch up so these important perches are left intact for birds that hunt. You can then use what you’ve removed to create your own brush piles on the ground.