Teaching old trees a new trick

Sometimes, caring for a tree means knowing when to remove it. Other times, it means finding a way to repurpose the trees so they can continue playing their role in the ecosystem.

This is exactly what happened recently when the Ecologic Tree Service team were called out to look at two old Jarrah giants on a property in Denmark, Western Australia.

Both trees had sadly died from jarrah dieback, a serious environmental challenge across south-west Western Australia.

It’s commonly associated with Phytophthora cinnamomi, a microscopic, soil-borne water mould that attacks plant roots and can kill susceptible species, including jarrah.

When a tree dies, the next steps need to be considered carefully. Dead trees can present significant hazards, particularly where large branches or sections of the canopy could fall near homes, access ways or areas used by people.

New life for two dead trees

These two Jarrah trees are situated at Peace Street, a beautiful property owned by two passionate gardeners and bird lovers for around 30 years who value living alongside their amazing natural environment.

When we arrived on site it wasn’t long before we realised the surrounding area was a busy corridor for birdlife, with cockatoos squawking overhead.

What was initially a discussion about removing the dead trees quickly turned into a conversation about how we could remove the hazardous canopy, before preserving the jarrah trees as part of the landscape with the addition of our purpose built habitat boxes.

For this project, the combination of considered tree management and our handmade habitat boxes allowed the property owners to make a practical decision that also reflected their love of the local environment and native wildlife.

Handmade habitat boxes

This project was a special one for the Ecologic Tree Service team from the start.

The two habitat boxes were handmade by our owner Ben McGovern and his son Jude from recycled jarrah timber they’ve been collecting over many years. Even the screws used were salvaged from a roof replacement after the original fixings had become rusty.

Built across two weekends with a toddler trade assistant, the boxes measure approximately 1,000mm high by 500mm wide and 500mm deep.

They’re structurally sound, made with care and built to last as a home for native wildlife for years to come.

Once the team had removed all the dangerous canopy and ensured the remaining trees were safe, the boxes were installed high in the retained jarrah trees, creating a nest and shelter for cockatoos and other hollow dependent animals including owls, ducks or possums.

An Ecologic mindset

At Ecologic Tree Service, we believe responsible tree care begins with understanding the bigger picture. Trees are part of a living landscape, providing shade, character, habitat and connections between the natural spaces that wildlife depends on.

Not every tree can be retained, and not every habitat project will suit every property. But taking the time to explore the options can sometimes lead to outcomes that benefit both people and the environment.

These two old jarrah trees may no longer be living, but they’re still playing an important part in life.

With a little recycled timber, a couple of weekends of hard work and the support of property owners who care deeply about nature, they now offer something valuable to local wildlife.

If you're looking for thoughtful, environmentally conscious tree services in The Great Southern WA, get in touch.