Landholder Resources

Woody debris

Woody debris, such as logs and dead, still-standing trees, is an essential part of Victorian ecosystems. These structures provide food, shelter and nesting sites for wildlife. While woody debris is sometimes removed for firewood or to ‘tidy’ properties, this degrades habitat. Removing dead wood for firewood is recognised as a key threat under Australia’s environmental regulations. 

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This information is relevant across Victoria. 

  • Woody debris plays a number of essential roles in ecosystems 
  • Hollows in dead trees are used for nesting and roosting by numerous birds, mammals and reptiles, including most bats and endangered species such as Red-tailed Black-cockatoos, Squirrel Gliders and Powerful Owls 
  • Dead wood is food and habitat for numerous insect species, which in turn support insect-eating birds 
  • Logs provide habitat for ground birds, reptiles and mammals 
  • Decaying wood provides nutrients into soil 
  • Research shows increases in plant cover and diversity, and numbers of birds and reptiles when woody debris is added to degraded habitat
  • Woody debris is often poor firewood as it is often rotten, hollow and blunts chainsaws more quickly 
  • Woody debris can be removed, including on conservation covenants, as part of managing vegetation to reduce fire hazard. Visit Preparing for Fire Season to find out more 
  • Leave woody debris and dead trees where they are 
  • Only remove logs and dead trees where they create a hazard (such as overhanging branches or fire hazard), damage to infrastructure (such as fences) or have fallen across access roads and paths 
  • Removed logs and dead wood can be placed in habitat where they are absent, where safe to do so 
  • Source firewood outside of habitat or plant a woodlot of trees specifically for firewood 
  • In restored habitat where woody debris is low, consider introducing logs from sustainable sources 

 

  • Monitor habitat for woody debris that is blocking access, creating hazards and damaging infrastructure 

This information is relevant across Victoria. 

  • Woody debris plays a number of essential roles in ecosystems 
  • Hollows in dead trees are used for nesting and roosting by numerous birds, mammals and reptiles, including most bats and endangered species such as Red-tailed Black-cockatoos, Squirrel Gliders and Powerful Owls 
  • Dead wood is food and habitat for numerous insect species, which in turn support insect-eating birds 
  • Logs provide habitat for ground birds, reptiles and mammals 
  • Decaying wood provides nutrients into soil 
  • Research shows increases in plant cover and diversity, and numbers of birds and reptiles when woody debris is added to degraded habitat
  • Woody debris is often poor firewood as it is often rotten, hollow and blunts chainsaws more quickly 
  • Woody debris can be removed, including on conservation covenants, as part of managing vegetation to reduce fire hazard. Visit Preparing for Fire Season to find out more 
  • Leave woody debris and dead trees where they are 
  • Only remove logs and dead trees where they create a hazard (such as overhanging branches or fire hazard), damage to infrastructure (such as fences) or have fallen across access roads and paths 
  • Removed logs and dead wood can be placed in habitat where they are absent, where safe to do so 
  • Source firewood outside of habitat or plant a woodlot of trees specifically for firewood 
  • In restored habitat where woody debris is low, consider introducing logs from sustainable sources 

 

  • Monitor habitat for woody debris that is blocking access, creating hazards and damaging infrastructure 
Safety
Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when undertaking land management. Follow all label instructions on equipment and local regulations. Be mindful of weather conditions. Do not conduct land management on days of extreme or catastrophic fire danger or total fire ban. 
Further information
If you have a conservation covenant, please consult with your Trust for Nature regional staff member to ensure land management activities are in line with your covenant deed.

For further advice and support, please contact Trust for Nature

Phone:(03) 8361 5800
Email:  trustfornature@tfn.org.au
Disclaimer
Trust for Nature and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication