#GreatNewsThursday – Turning trees into habitats in Strathbogie Shire

Have you ever wondered what happens to the trees in Strathbogie Shire that have reached their end of life?

Council engages qualified arborists to determine if a dead tree is still structurally sound and therefore suitable for development into a standing habitat with hollows carved in for bats and birds.

Natural hollows in trees especially our River Red Gums can take centuries to form. This means that safe nesting spaces have become fewer and further between as humans have continued to move into the land. By creating artificial hollows in suitable trees, our arborists can replace some of this lost habitat.

Strathbogie Shire Council Administrator Peter Stephenson said the initiative was a win-win.

“We know trees do not live forever, and what better way to give them a new lease on life than by becoming a home for our native wildlife,” he said.

“The qualified arborists who assess the trees also ensure the hollows are being well utilised once established by monitoring the sites.”

“Strathbogie Shire has a relatively large established tree population and our arborists have determined that is well-suited to carved habitat hollows.”

As an added bonus Council is planting over 200 trees in 2024. This will help cool our urban areas and also provide more habitat for our local animals.

Our trees play a vitally important role in providing oxygen, sequestering carbon, and cooling the climate. They also provide food and homes for wildlife that are also a vital part of the ecosystem. By planting trees and making more spaces for little critters to nest and be safe, we can help contribute to the health of the planet.