The trees in our yard are the linchpin that holds together the delicate balance of wildlife presence. Many animals depend on our healthy trees to provide them with shelter, food, and even transportation routes, and without trees, none of those animals would be around to enrich our environment and our lives. Find out more about some of the wild animals that take up residence in our trees.

mammals

The first animal many people think of when it comes to forest wildlife is playful little squirrels. These playful little mammals use our trees for shelter, to help them create nests to raise their young, and to provide them with food such as acorns. But squirrels aren’t the only mammals that benefit greatly from trees. Flying squirrels, opossums, raccoons, bats and others take up residence in our trees. Even mammals as large as deer feed on acorns, and deer also use tree trunks to remove the velvety covering from their antlers and announce their presence to other deer.

birds

Almost all of the wild birds in our backyards benefit from our trees. They build nests and raise their young in them, forage in them, and seek shelter from the elements in their branches. Without trees nearby, most birds are unlikely to take up residence in an area, and those that do can be destructive to human habitats because they are turning our homes into tree alternatives. Birds help control insect populations, disperse seeds, and generally make our world a better place with their happy songs. Our healthy trees encourage them to find a comfortable spot in our yards.

insects

Whether you care about bugs or not, they are some of the animals that benefit from our trees, and our trees can benefit from them too! Flowering trees attract bees, butterflies, moths, and other flying insects that consume nectar. These insects help pollinate trees and are responsible for the vast majority of fruits that grow on trees, including apples, pears, cherries, and citrus. In the wild, bees even build their hives in trees so they can produce their honey and raise their young. Trees are also used by a host of other insects as sources of shelter, transportation routes, and food sources. These insects help keep the ecosystem around us alive and running smoothly, and our trees help them do that job.

Protect your trees

One of the best things you can do for the wildlife in your area is to help maintain your trees and their health. Have a professional tree service come annually and after big storms to make sure your trees are at their best to support your little dependents. They can also help keep trees manageable by providing pruning services, which can help make tree canopies easier for nesting birds to use. If a tree becomes dangerous and needs to be removed, have your professional tree removal team come and remove it safely. If you have space, ask if they will leave larger tree trunks for the animals to shelter in. Most local tree services are more than happy to accommodate such requests.