creating hollows in dead trees.

treestyle

hi,

i work alot with large dead trees, generally i am requested to lop them back to some sort of crap hat rack that really doesnt provide any sort of habitat, and apparently the only reason for these structures being retained IS to provide habitat.

we have requested nest boxes so we can install them at the time of tree work, however the environmental department just cant get them sorted. they're too busy trying to document and remember where they have put them in the past.

we have bored holes using the saw but you really cant get a decent enough hollow that anything would live in.

my thoughts......get one them petrol powered drills and drill holes in the ends of cut branches. i havent done enough research yet but i think the holes / hollows would need to be approx 5 - 10cm round and a minimum of 30cm deep?

is this a feasible idea? are there drill bits out there that are capable of 10x30cm deep holes in dead Euc that's harder then a cats head?

thanks!

Eric Frei

I have two issues with councils leaving habitat trees.

1/ many times they are in striking distance of targets.
2/ lack of hollows, yes, they're just hat racked pieces of shit, and the crows and ibis love the perch.

Spade bits and augers simple wont go big enough but they might get the birds started. The birds might peck away at it. Those hole saws are no good as they have to punch through, OK for doors etc but not what you are doing.

Need like a router bit in the hole to open her up mate, research long router bits. Drill the biggest hole you can then open up with a router.

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blair duncanson

Why look for immediate habitat. Surely through time different habitats will come about, aye drilling will help and the odd bat or bird box will also.Planting some sort of dense climber at base would perhaps speed things along.Perhaps try to retain as many cavaties as possible, also crown cutting your finished limbs will help? Tare cuts also.

Done it

Wasn't there a guy on here a few months ago that was making & installing nest boxes? I think he was from South Africa. He seemed to have it figured out.

Done it

He may have had it figured out, [maybe] but it seems he's been & gone. Certainly didn't try too hard to sell them, I was interested. Nesting Logs??

Eric Frei

LOL, he even slipped in underneath the advertising radar, got a break but bolted, try PM him perhaps.

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