Deadwood – a living haven of biodiversity

When we think of a healthy forest, we imagine tall trees, lush canopies, and vibrant greenery. Dead trunks, fallen branches, or decaying stumps are often seen as signs of disease or neglect. But in fact, deadwood is one of the most valuable elements of a natural ecosystem. It’s not waste – it’s home. Not a leftover – but a source of life.

In Poland, the role of deadwood is still rarely discussed – whether in managed forests, fieldside woodlands, parks, or reserves. Yet its presence is not only a sign of natural richness, but also a real support for hundreds of species of insects, birds, fungi, and mammals. Deadwood is teeming with life – we just need to shift our perspective.

What exactly is deadwood?

Deadwood includes all parts of trees that have stopped growing: fallen trunks, broken branches, stumps left after logging, standing dead trees (called “snags”), and even old, rotting limbs in treetops. From an ecological point of view, each of these elements serves a different, yet equally important function.

Deadwood hosts unique microhabitats – from saproxylic insects (those that live in decaying wood) to rare lichens, to birds and mammals using cavities and cracks as nesting places or shelters. Without deadwood, many of these species simply couldn’t survive.

Why is deadwood so important?

Deadwood plays many roles in nature – some visible right away, others working quietly over years:

It’s a shelter and home – for hedgehogs, newts, shrews, owls, woodpeckers, bats, and hundreds of insect species.
It stores moisture – acting like a sponge, helping keep the forest floor damp and supporting the microclimate.
It’s a reservoir of nutrients – slowly releasing minerals and organic matter back into the soil.
It’s a base for fungi and plants – mosses, ferns, fungi, and even new trees grow on its surface.

There’s a reason why people say that deadwood is the “living zone of a dying tree.” The more of it in the landscape, the better the chances for stable, diverse ecosystems to thrive.

Why is deadwood disappearing?

In many forests, especially managed ones, deadwood is routinely removed. This happens for aesthetic reasons, fire safety, and above all – for economic purposes. Dead trees are often seen as wasted resources. The same happens in rural and urban areas – dry trees are cut down, fallen branches cleared, and “mess” is tidied up – even though for nature, that “mess” is a treasure.

Such practices, although understandable from a human point of view, lead to the loss of vital wildlife habitats. In natural forests, deadwood can make up up to 30% of total tree biomass – in managed forests, it’s only 2–3%.

What can we do? Small steps, big changes

One More Tree Foundation promotes not only planting, but also wise coexistence with existing elements of nature. Here are some actions we can take together with companies, schools, and rural or forest communities:

Leaving stumps and branches in place – after planting or clean-up actions, some wood can be intentionally left as a “wildlife zone.”
Building piles of branches and leaves – perfect spots for hedgehogs, lizards, and insects; easy to create during field activities.
Creating educational “deadwood zones” – with signage, infographics, and descriptions of the life within.
Installing logs in educational areas – even in schoolyards or public parks, as observation points and microhabitats.
Collaborating with local forestry offices – to protect standing snags and retain deadwood in social forests.

These are actions that can be introduced step-by-step, alongside tree planting events, nature workshops, green picnics, or CSR activities.

Deadwood as an ecological education topic

Although it doesn’t sound very attractive, deadwood is fascinating. Take a close look at a fallen log and you’ll find a miniature universe: beetle tunnels, mushroom colonies, hidden cocoons, woodpecker marks. It’s an ideal tool for field-based education with children and youth – sparking curiosity, teaching respect for nature, and showing that life doesn’t end when a tree dies.

One More Tree Foundation often includes the topic of deadwood in its educational efforts. It’s a great opportunity to talk about the life cycle, the role of insects, fungi, birds. And to show that sometimes the best thing we can do for nature… is to leave it alone.

Let the wood stay. For life.

In a world where human impact on nature is constant, it’s worth leaving at least a few places untouched. Deadwood is one of the most natural elements in a wild landscape – and one of the most needed.

We invite companies, schools, municipalities, and individuals to join One More Tree Foundation – not only in planting trees, but also in protecting what already exists. Because every dead tree can become home to hundreds of lives. And every such action – a step toward a more sustainable world.

Want to get involved in biodiversity-friendly field activities?
Organize an educational event, workshop or nature project with us – let’s give life back to nature, together.