Wood
Wood is the most essential source of habitat for all life. Not only when growing as a tree but perhaps even more essentially, when it rots down.
Wood can rot on a living tree (more of this later) or, very evidently, it will rot on the ground, usually directly underneath where it fell from the tree.
What we do is, clear it up!! Our reasons are manifold but often we think, “It is untidy. It is dangerous. It is in the way. It shouldn’t be there. It is an eyesore . . . “. Always many and varied, important reasons for its removal.
But, where do you put it? Only you can answer that question, but take a moment and imagine how it can be placed somewhere convenient to you and wildlife.
This pile of twigs will be left now and provide shelter for many insects, possibly a passing hedgehog and any number of small creatures. But the most important future will be its rotting down.
Even pieces of cast-off carpentry, fence building or any woodwork can be left outside and it will provide a refuge above and below it. In this case, the warmth of the day gave a sunbathing rest.
This wood has been standing there for a long number of years, awaiting my possible need for its use in the future. Meanwhile, it harbours life and a grass snake occasionally slithers from below it.
And if you have any old logs, pile them in a corner and let them stay there. Natural decay will invite insects of all sorts to shelter in it, or lay eggs in it. Fungus will grow to decay the wood at the same time . . . . . .
