Deadwood pile
Some wild bees need deadwood to build nests.
Deadwood is an important habitat for many insects. It serves as food, shelter or nesting material. You can easily do something for wild bees and other important insects by offering or creating a deadwood pile.
Step 1
Get material
Wood over 10 cm in diameter is suitable for a deadwood pile:
- Tree and shrub cuttings such as branches, tree trunks or tree stumps
- Wood scraps
Wood from species such as oak (Quercus), beech (Fagus) and birch (Betula) is particularly suitable. You should not use wood that has been treated with chemicals or pesticides.
You will also need
- Filling material such as small twigs, stones
- Wheelbarrow
Step 2
Build the pile
First lay a base layer of larger logs or branches on the ground. This provides stability and structure to the pile. Arrange the logs in a loose pile, leaving gaps between the logs to create air holes and allow animals to enter the inner area.
Step 3
Add smaller materials and other elements
Now place smaller branches, twigs and woody debris on top of the base layer. Mix different sizes and shapes of materials to create a varied habitat structure. The layering can be carried out until the pile has reached the desired height. Make sure that the structure remains open and airy. If desired, other elements such as stones, leaves and plant debris can be incorporated into the pile. These materials can further increase the habitat value.
Step 4
Create holes and cavities
When building the pile, integrate openings, gaps and cavities in the structure. These spaces provide shelter and nesting sites for insects, birds and small mammals
Maintenance
Monitor the deadwood pile regularly to observe wildlife activity and assess its condition. Over time, the materials will decompose and settle, so you may need to regularly add new materials or adjust the structure as needed.
Tips:
- Education about deadwood is important – signs or educational materials can be used to inform visitors about the importance of deadwood for biodiversity and address aesthetic norms about the “ disorderliness” of deadwood. Signage can help garden visitors learn more about the different species that rely on deadwood as habitat and understand how the preservation of deadwood in urban landscapes can contribute to nature conservation.
- In community gardens, it can be a problem that pieces of deadwood are removed by visitors. In addition to providing information via signs, it can help to tie the pieces together with long pieces of wood or branches and screws to make it more difficult to carry them away. The use of particularly large and heavy pieces of tree trunks can also help to solve this problem. Sometimes piles of deadwood are also removed by other gardeners as they are perceived as leftover clippings or a tripping hazard. In such cases, it can help to determine a “wild corner” in the garden together with the other gardeners where a pile of deadwood can be left without disturbing others.