Of Snags and Birds

by Craig McArt

We who live in Eastman have chosen to live in a forest that we share with wildlife. Wildlife has a voice in the management of our forest through the Woodlands and Wildlife Committee. The committee also has the responsibility to provide us with information related to the stewardship of our natural surroundings. So, here goes:

An issue affecting the wildlife that apparently deserves better understanding in the community is the importance of retaining snags on our properties. Snags are standing dead trees, and retention of snags should be a key component of your forest management plan. Priority should be given to hardwood snags, as they remain intact longer. The only good reason for cutting down such a dead tree snag in Eastman is when it poses a threat to personal safety or property.

Some may feel that dead trees on their
property present an unkempt appearance. Perhaps they feel it is an obligation
of a good neighbor to remove them as an eyesore. Actually, a clean, “park-like”
look often desired in suburban backyards is undesirable for wildlife and
inappropriate for Eastman’s forested surroundings. Park-like landscapes lack
the structure and diversity required for healthy wildlife habitat. Unless a snag
is in danger of falling on your house, other structure, vehicle, boat or the
like, you should consider leaving it in place as a benefit to wildlife.

Snags are standing dead trees, and retention of snags should be a key component of your forest management plan.

Why is it important to wildlife that
non-threatening snags be retained? Snags, which often contain cavities, are
very important to many wildlife species, especially birds, but also
invertebrates and some mammals. They provide birds important food and shelter
resources for nesting and roosting. Forestry
practice of selective removal of dead or diseased trees reduces the availability
of nest sites. Good Forestry in the Granite State, available for free at www.goodforestry.org, describes recommended voluntary forest
management practices for New Hampshire. Regarding the practice of retaining
snags to help maintain populations of wildlife that require cavities for roosting and nesting, it
lists the following species of New Hampshire forest birds that excavate
cavities as well as those that use existing ones:

Not only cutting of
snags, but virtually any trees during birds’ breeding season should be avoided. Birds’ breeding season extends from May to August. Cutting trees during
frozen ground conditions is preferable as it has no direct negative impact on
the breeding bird community. Let’s all respect our wildlife neighbors, who had
a claim to this place long before Eastman intruded.

Craig McArt is
a veteran member of the Woodlands and Wildlife Committee who has recently
joined the Grantham Conservation Commission.

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