In April 2011, we had a large ash tree felled that was
undermining our patio and coincidentally providing a toilet pedestal for the
winter flock of Starlings.
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| Candle-snuff Fungus (Xylaria hypoxylon) |
A couple of professional arboriculturists duly arrived with
rigging, hard hats and chain saws and methodically took the tree down from the
top to the bottom. We enjoyed many open
log fires with the resulting timber, but half a meter wide trunk was left in
large rounds for me to dispose of.
Well, I tried splitting them, but with no luck and a jarred
arm.
So thinking, laterally, I dispersed
them around the garden as ornamental features on the grass near the hedges and
fences.
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| Eyelash Fungus (Scutellaria scutellata) |
Four years on, we have a thriving saprophytic community on and under each of them. These range from fungi to invertebrates and
the occasional vertebrate temporary resident.
The fungi range from the common Turkey tail (Trametes
versicolor) on top of the logs, Candle-snuff Fungus (Xylaria hypoxylon) on the
sides and a real treat, Eyelash fungus (Scutellaria scutellata) undeneath one
of them.
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| Austalian Flatworm (Australoplana samgiomea) |
The invertebrates have found a really attractive safe and
warm refuge under these logs. I turn
them up every week or so just to see what has sheltered there. There are the ubiquitous slugs and a thriving
colony of Woodhoppers (Arcitalitrus
dorrieni) which is beginning to colonise Cornwall. Another coloniser is the
Australian Flatworm (Australoplana sanguinea) which appears every year
under the same log. Millipedes,
centipedes and wood lice all make their homes under the logs too.
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| Common Frog (Rana temporaria) |
Vertebrates are less common but obviously preying on the
above and I have recorded Common Frog (Rana temporania) and a Palmate
Newt (Lissotriton helveticus).
I just have to be careful that my chicken does not get there
before me as she particularly likes small slugs but is very catholic in her
tastes and would scoff the lot if I let her.
Logs are well worth placing in your garden as refugia for all sorts of interesting creatures.
