Characteristics of trees with excavated cavities used by birds in rhode island

Abstract

Our study examined the specific characteristics of 58 trees with excavated cavities used by birds in Rhode Island. Forty-five percent of cavity trees used by cavity-nesting birds were red maple and American elm. Forty-one percent of cavity trees had ≥ 2 cavities. Most cavities were ≤ 0.9 m from a decay entry point such as a broken top or branch. The characteristics of trees most often used by cavity-nesting birds included: dead; broken tops; > 80% of bark cover; and low resistance to heartwood decay and ice damage. Trees with these characteristics pose little competition to crop trees and should be left standing.