The Bart Simpson Treatment for the Snag

Blooma Tree Care arborists Ricky, Zane, Troy and Randy on snag trimming day | Claire Catania

A large Douglas Fir tree once stood in front of the Birds Connect Seattle Nature Shop. Many years ago, the top half of the tree broke off in a wind storm, and what remained (the standing dead snag) was intentionally left behind in the front yard to become a home for wildlife.

Over the years, the snag has supported all kinds of birds, invertebrates, mammals, fungi, and plant species, who have used it for shelter, food, and nesting. Even when a tree is no longer living, it can provide numerous benefits to wildlife, and actually attract a different set of species than a living tree would. For example, cavity-dwelling birds nest and take shelter in snags, like ours. Different insect and fungi are attracted to decaying wood, which can fuel the foodchain of other species.

Nature Shop customers regularly get to witness a squirrel scampering up the trunk, or hear the knock knock of a Pileated Woodpecker searching for bugs under the bark. This beloved snag, as well as the variety of native plants in the yard, contribute to the Birds Connect Seattle yard being designated a certified Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary by Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. A plaque even hangs proudly on the lower portion of the snag, as if to welcome wildlife to come enjoy it.

In recent years, at least three species have been known to nest and raise their young in the snag including a family of Northern Flickers, and Black-capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadees.

Mick Thompson | Eastside Audubon

A long-time Birds Connect Seattle member and professional arborist, John Zehren, frequents The Nature Shop for bird seed and each time he passes by the snag he performs a wiggle test, gently pushing on the tree to gage its stability. About 10 years ago, John first noticed a specific fungi called Phaeolus schweinitzii growing on the snag. This specific fungi is associated with root and stem decay. John knew that over time as the snag decayed it would take less and less force to wiggle it, and at some point the snag would need to be trimmed down from its original height, so he continued to monitor it on his regular visits to The Nature Shop. Earlier this fall, he alerted the Birds Connect Seattle staff that with the tree’s current state of decay and movement, it should be trimmed down to a lower height.

As dead trees continue to age, the wood deteriorates as part of the natural decay and succession process, often with the help of fungi. This deterioration also happens in the root system, which can cause the tree to loosen in the soil over time. It is recommended you inspect your snag from time to time to evaluate its safety as it decays.

After meeting with a consulting arborist, it was determined the best course of action would be to remove the top portion of the snag to bring it down to about 12 feet, while still retaining habitat value, as well as making it safe. The arborist team from Blooma Tree Experts made a plant to give the snag the “Bart Simpson” treatment, leaving a jagged edge at the top (just like Bart‘s iconic hair style) and distressing the bark in places so the snag would look more natural, and less like a telephone pole.

The “new” snag after trimming the top for safety | Claire Catania

After the work was completed, the wood cuttings were scattered around other parts of the yard so they can continue to be an ecological benefit to wildlife. One Nature Shop volunteer was curious about the age of the tree, so used a section removed from the snage to count 91 rings! That was 91 years the Douglas Fir proudly stood (living) along 35th Ave, and it is our hope it will continue to provide numerous benefits to wildlife for another 91 years as a snag.