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WASHTENAW COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
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Den Trees

Many species of woodland wildlife benefit from the presence of "den trees."  Den trees are those large, standing trees that are used by animals for nesting, roosting, cover, food supply and other critical functions.

These trees are often over-mature trees with many defects and have no financial value.  If a stand is being managed for timber, it may be advisable to kill den trees by girdling.  This provides a couple of timber management benefits as well as protecting the den tree.  When the tree dies, the leaves drop, and light is available to the smaller trees below, encouraging them to grow faster.  Also, by leaving the tree standing, it will fall to the ground slowly, one branch at a time, reducing the amount of damage to the surrounding timber.

Girdling of large trees can be accomplished with a chainsaw or hatchet, at whatever height is convenient, by making two horizontal, parallel cuts, three inches apart, two inches into the wood, all the way around the tree. However, if timber is not a primary concern, den trees should be left alive, as they will remain in place longer, and in many cases provide a food source.

Following are recommendations for selecting den trees:
  1. Select trees that will also provide food and have durable heartwood, for example, white oak, black walnut, chestnut oak, red gum, black gum, maple or basswood.
  2. Select a live tree at least 15" in diameter and with a den entrance at least 20' from the ground.
  3. Select a tree that is being used, as indicated by the cutting of bark and wood around the den entrance.
  4. Select den trees that are well distributed throughout the area.
Generally, 2-3 den trees per acre are appropriate.
Note: Girdling deeper than the recommended depth or on trees that show evidence of internal decay is not recommended as it could weaken the tree too much, and put it at risk of being blown down.
Washtenaw County Conservation District
(734) 302-8715
info@washtenawcd.org

​ 705 N. Zeeb Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Copyright 2020
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Annual Reports
    • 2022 Strategic Plan
    • Board Meetings
    • Board of Directors >
      • 2023 Director Elections
    • Staff >
      • Career Opportunities
      • Internship Opportunity
    • Resource Assessment >
      • 2021 Results
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    • 2020 Millage
    • FOIA Requests
    • Annual Meeting >
      • 2022 WCCD Awardees
    • Conservation Update Newsletter
  • Store
  • Resources
    • School & Community Habitat Grant
    • Rain barrels & Composters >
      • Rain Barrels Information
      • Rain Barrel Common Questions
    • Tool and Equipment Rental >
      • Reserve Tools & Equipment
      • Hand Tool Rentals
      • Herbicide Application Tool Rentals
      • Tool Rental Calendar
      • Equipment Rental Calendar
    • Contractor Lists
    • Hunter Access Program
  • Events
    • Native Plant Expo & Marketplace >
      • 2023 Spring Native Plant Sale >
        • 2023 Spring Milkweed Giveaway
      • 2023 NPEM Speaker Series
      • 2023 NPEM Sponsorship
      • 2023 NPEM Vendor Application
    • Tree & Shrub Distributions >
      • 2023 Spring Tree & Shrub Sale
    • Coffee & Conservation
    • Public Meetings Calendar
  • Conservation Planning
    • NRCS Farm Bill Programs
    • MAEAP
    • MiFarmLink Inquiry
    • Farmer Cost-Share Opportunities
    • MI Farmland Preservation
    • Invasive Species
  • Education
    • Workshops & Programs >
      • Community Conservation Education
      • Conservation Agriculture Education
      • Conservation Stewards Program
    • Online resources >
      • Agriculture >
        • Farmland Preservation
        • Soils >
          • Washtenaw County Soils
          • Soil Sampling >
            • Soil Sampling Article
            • Homeowner Soil Testing
            • Agricultural Soil Testing
        • Windbreaks
        • Composting >
          • Composters
      • Forestry >
        • Community Trees
        • Tree & Shrub Planting Guide
        • Common Tree Diseases & Pests
        • Crop Tree Management
        • Fruit Tree Planting & Care
        • Likelihood of Deer Damage
        • Other Forestry Links
        • Pruning Forest Trees
        • Timber Sales
        • Urban Trees
      • Insects >
        • Animal & Insect Repellents
      • Invasive Species & Control
      • Native Plants >
        • Planting Native Plants
        • Seeding Wildflowers
      • Recycling
      • Water >
        • Groundwater >
          • Groundwater Protection - Agriculture
        • Pond Construction >
          • Pond Management
        • Rain Gardens
        • Shoreline Property
        • Stormwater Runoff & Management
        • Stream Bank Erosion and Control
        • Wells >
          • Water Testing
          • Water Screening Events
        • Wetlands >
          • Wetland Mitigation Banking
        • Wildlife >
          • Brush Piles
          • Clearcutting
          • Den Trees
      • Tree of Heaven
  • Get Involved
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