NeighborWood Watch
WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORWOOD!
Help preserve habitat and promote biodiversity in our communities.
Dead wood in my yard? YES!
When a tree dies, it starts the second part of its life. It begins to give back to the environment. As wood decays, it returns nutrients to the soil, shelters birds, feeds innumerable critters, and supports hundreds of colorful fungi. If we remove dead wood, we interrupt the grand cycle of life that is happening in our yards.
Around the world, there is a growing movement to preserve dead wood habitats in urban landscapes. From “habitat snags”, to “wildlife trees” and “woodpecker poles”, to small stumps or even sleepy piles of logs, there are many ways you can incorporate dead wood into your landscape. Watch the videos below to learn how. And take our survey to join the NeighborWood Watch!
WOOD YOU BE OUR NEIGHBOR?
Join our movement: preserve dead wood, receive a plaque, and get counted! How? FILL OUT OUR SURVEY:
Our research team at the University of Florida are working to spread the word about habitat snags, and wants to know what homeowners like you think about dead wood.
The first 200 homeowners who complete the survey can request a free “NeighborWood Watch” plaque for their dead wood habitat.
VIDEOS
Ep 1. | Woodpeckers & Birds
Love woodpeckers? They will love you back if you give them a place to live. Learn more about dead wood and birds.
Presenters: Debbie Segal (President of Alachua Audubon Society), Sherri and Eric Amundson (homeowners and birders)
Ep. 2 | Wood-Decay Fungi
Explore the fungal diversity that can be found on stumps and logs, and learn how to maintain fungal habitat responsibly.
Presenter: Matt Smith (Curator of Fungi at the Florida Museum)
Ep. 3 | Arborist Insights
Learn how arborists can make your dead trees safer, allowing you to minimize risk, maximize habitat potential, and save money.
Presenter: John Burns (ISA Certified Arborist at SkyFrog Tree Service)
Ep. 4 | Florida Woods Roach
Let’s highlight one of the most misunderstood creatures found in dead wood habitats.
Presenters: Jiri Hulcr (UF Forest Entomologist), Tae Young Lee (UF Urban Entomologist)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will dead wood increase WILDFIRE risk around my house?
Habitat snags can burn in wildfires, but they are actually at significantly less risk than dry, living trees in dry seasons. You can minimize the risk of structural fires by keeping dry, dead wood at least 30 feet away from your house. If you have additional questions about how to keep your home safe from fire while also preserving habitat, we encourage you to call the Florida Forest Service at (850) 681-5800.
Will having dead trees around breed TERMITES?
Yes, it will! Termites are crucial decomposers: nature’s way of turning dead wood into digestible biomass for other organisms. The important thing to realize is that the vast majority of termites colonize the roots of the dead tree, which will remain underground whether or not you keep the visible portion of the snag. Thus, removing dead trees will not actually do much to reduce your risk of subterranean termite infestation.
What you CAN do to protect your residence is keep dead wood at least a couple of feet away from your house and invest in termite baits. They work! (To learn more, see this guide.)
Will having dead trees around bring BEETLES in to kill my healthy trees?
There are hundreds of species of bark beetles in the southeastern U.S. The vast majority of these beetles are harmless and only inhabit stressed, dying, or dead trees. Only two species are of real concern:
- The southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis)
- The black turpentine beetle (Dendroctonus terebrans)
Those two species only attack FRESH pine trees. Having dead wood around will not increase likelihood of these species attacking your pines. In fact, dead wood provides habitat for other predatory beetles that eat bark beetles. For more information, read this guide.
What should I do if my HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION doesn't allow dead trees?
This is one of the most common barriers to keeping dead wood. Here are some things you can try:
- Mark your dead wood as a feature with a sign, plaque, or flowerpot. Making dead wood appear extra intentional can shift your neighbors’ perception of it.
- Keep your tree, log, or brush in the backyard, not the front yard.
- Introduce your neighbors to the dead wood movement. Show them this website. Explain that dead wood can be kept safely and aesthetically. Together, maybe you can even gain enough support to amend your HOA’s landscaping codes!
