Standing dead trees may appear to be useless eyesores, but a
state wildlife biologist says actually they are important
components of wildlife habitat and frequently in short supply.
"That ugly snag may provide a secure home for many kinds of
animals and a virtual smorgasbord of insect food," said Laurel
Barnhill, wildlife biologist with the S.C. Department of Natural
Resources (DNR). "Downy, hairy, red-bellied, pileated and red-
headed woodpeckers all feed heavily on wood-boring larvae of
beetles and other insects and invertebrates found in snags."
Print out a wildlife management guide (Pdf file) on snags and
downed logs or call the Columbia DNR office at (803) 734-3886.
Woodpeckers are also the primary excavators of nesting cavities
in snags, Barnhill said. These cavities are later used by other
species. Bluebirds, wrens, titmice, crested flycatchers,
chickadees, nuthatches, barred owls, screech owls and kestrels
all depend on cavities for successful nesting. Mammals such as
bats, squirrels, flying squirrels