Wildlife TreesSnags, Dead Stumps and Wildlife HabitatWildlife trees are an integral part of the eco system creating bio-diversity and providing wildlife habit.Many birds and wildlife rely on the declining and dead trees in forests and woodlands, even in shelterbelts and hedgerows for a food source (bark beetles, ants and termites) and many will use holes excavated by woodpeckers for a nesting cavity. Wildlife trees around the edges of your garden will be particularly valuable for nesting. In the early spring, Hairy Woodpeckers and Pileated Woodpeckers will use hollow logs for drumming by pecking rapidly with their rock solid beak. This lets the woodpecker girls know that they're available for mating and tells the other boy woodpeckers to stay away from his territory.
The sound carries an amazing distance - you know spring is not far off when you hear this in the forest. Squirrels, birds, even bats are attracted to wildlife trees. Other mammals such as martin, weasels and other predators will hunt around wildlife trees, using leaning trees as aerial highways to get around up off the forest floor. 
British Columbia's Forest Service has produced written guidelines to ensure that wildlife trees are left after logging to be available for wildlife use. The guidelines require that a certain percentage of standing dead trees are protected, especially those identified as already in use by animals and birds. Biologists and wildlife experts are very concerned about those creatures that are endangered such as certain hawks and other birds of prey, so those trees that are suited for the building of platform nests are very valuable. Insects love dead trees; wasps process the lignin and rotting wood into paper for nests; bark beetles burrow under the bark making galleries for egg laying and infant rearing, which in turn attract birds and other wildlife to feed on the larvae. Still other insects such as butterflies and dragonflies use the dead trees as a perch to rest and sunbathe safely. Safety First:The only time you should leave a hollow tree or one with rotting branches that could fall is when it’s safely away from buildings and the risk of someone getting hurt.
If you’re fortunate enough to have a few decaying trees in and around your property, cherish them for the myriad life forms they support. Chain sawing an old dead or dying tree can dramatically reduce habitat used by many life forms. Hollow trees are particularly valuable to many animals to rear their young and have a safe haven from predators, as well as provide a stage for courtship rituals. Allowing them to remain will enhance and diversify the habitat around your xeric garden. Even fallen dead trees or those that are damaged in storms can provide shelter or a food source. Allowing some litter and dead-falls on the ground in an out of the way area can give you many opportunities to discreetly watch the secret life around you. Installing a wildlife camera will allow you to spy on the night time activities of deer, owls, skunks and many other shy and reclusive nocturnal animals and birds. It will open up a new appreciation of the unseen world of wildlife trees.
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A male Ruffed Grouse will drum too, standing on a log and beating his wings in a steadily increasing tattoo. 
Wildlife and Birds
Important Visitors to your Xeric Garden
Don't be too quick to condemn insects or spiders - they are useful too. Trying to find out what kind of insects you have? Check the Insect Encyclopedia. Look for your spider on the Spider Identification page.
Many prey insects such as aphids will be attracted to dill or other nectar producing plants. In turn, they will feed wasps, crickets, ladybugs and many other beneficial insects.
You may find that hedgerows are not limited to wildlife habitat, they are also valuable for growing craft supplies.
Xeric gardens truly are the multi-taskers of the the natural world.
Find all pages to do with wildlife in your xeric garden on the Wildlife Site Map.
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