Dead trees bring the show to life in Braden Woods

On a hot July day, it is quiet in Susan and John Darovec’s backyard in Braden Woods.

However, if you wait patiently and sit quietly, it won’t be long before the show begins.

The star is nature itself, as this is a certified backyard wildlife habitat recognized by the National Wildlife Federation. After a short wait, squirrels begin running through the yard, a male cardinal perches on a bird feeder, and a red-bellied woodpecker flies from tree to tree looking for food. An armadillo scurries by, and purple grackles, a blue jay, and two black-bellied whistling ducks make brief appearances.

The Darovecs have installed a birdhouse and several birdbaths in their garden, as well as a woodpile that provides shelter for the animals that have made this garden their home.

To apply for a Certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat, a gardener must demonstrate that they have provided food, water, shelter, and places to raise their young for the wildlife that uses the land. The garden must be at least 50-70% native plants that bloom throughout multiple seasons. The garden must be free of neonicotinoids (insecticides).

Photo by Jay Heater

You can apply for the designation at NWF.org/Certify. The National Wildlife Federation states, “Rapid and large-scale changes to our land and water are causing wildlife to lose the habitats they once knew. Each habitat garden is a step toward restoring resources for wildlife such as bees, butterflies, birds and amphibians – both locally and along migration corridors.”

Living with obstacles

Susan Darovec was sitting in her living room talking about her garden when movement caught her attention. She pointed to a red-bellied woodpecker that had entered the garden and then left just as quickly. The woodpecker had landed on one of the garden’s “stumps.”

A deadwood is a standing dead or dying tree that is often topped by cutting off all higher branches above the cut surface. It is usually cut at a height so that if it falls it will not cause damage to a home, pool or other garden structure.

Most people don’t leave a stump standing when a tree dies because some people find it ugly. After all, they are dead.

However, for various wild animals, such as woodpeckers, dead wood remains can have a life-saving effect.

Photo by Jay Heater

The National Wildlife Federation points out that “dead trees provide vital habitat for more than 1,000 species of wildlife across the country. They also provide shelter and a place for wildlife to raise their young, making them eligible for Certified Wildlife Habitat designation.”

And then there’s the show.

“It’s such a joy to see all the animals (attracted to tree stumps),” Susan Darovec said.

The Darovecs have four tree stumps in their yard, two in front of the house and two behind the house. Three of the stumps are pine and the other is an oak.

The pines were struck by lightning and the oak did not grow properly after being replanted.

Photo by Jay Heater

“The (pine) tree stump in our front yard has supported many red-bellied and pileated woodpeckers and has been home to several woodpecker families,” said Susan Darovec. “A pine stump in the back yard seems to be an excellent food source for many woodpeckers. Our small oak stump in the front yard has provided a home for downy and red-bellied woodpeckers. It also seems to be the perfect perch for mockingbirds and brown thrushes as they scan our yard for threats to their nests.”

The Darovecs would deny that tree stumps are ugly.

No eyesore

“None of these trees are eyesores,” she said. “In fact, when the bark falls off, the trees reveal beautiful natural patterns.”

They both understand that not everyone likes the look, but maybe people would also like to know how much money they would save if they cut down the dead tree for a stump.

Susan Darovec told of a good friend in Braden Woods whose large pine tree died from a lightning strike. She was unable to convince her friend to leave the stump standing, and it cost $2,500 to cut the tree down and remove the stump. It would have cost about half that to cut the tree down as high as necessary so that it would not cause damage when it fell. John Darovec noted that the stumps that fall are so damaged that they can be easily removed along with the stump.

Photo by Jay Heater

“No large machines are needed,” said John Darovec.

While deadwood makes sense in Braden Woods, where many homes are located in a forest-like setting, deadwood trees may not fit as well in newer communities without many trees. At the Darovecs’ home, the deadwood trees blend into their surroundings.

The Darovecs have cared for wildlife all their lives.

Susan Darovec, an educator for 37 years, grew up as a birdwatcher in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

“We watched the cardinals and blue jays,” she said. “And one of my favorites were the grosbeaks. They were so colorful. We fed them and helped them survive. We also saw cuckoos. That was a treat. We had birdhouses and birdbaths to support wildlife. I grew up with tree stumps. They last about five years (after they die and are cut down).”

They moved to Florida in the late 1980s and have lived in their current home for 21 years.

When it comes to the dying trees in his yard, John Darovec says the best thing to do is do nothing.

Photo by Jay Heater

“Just let it go and we’ll see what happens,” he said.

He was told that some people don’t like the look of tree stumps.

“People think that really short grass looks good,” he said. “You shouldn’t cut your grass short in the middle of the dry season. It’s about living with nature.”

Both John and Susan Darovec are members of the Manatee Audubon Society.

When they moved into their property, a tree died and they considered removing it.

“It broke our hearts to lose a tree,” said Susan Darovec. “But that’s nature.”