In forest ecology, a snag refers to a standing, partly or completely dead tree, often missing a top or most of the smaller branches, which becomes crucial habitat for many woodland creatures. Insects burrow into and consume the dead wood and are preyed upon by birds, such as woodpeckers. Screech owls and other creatures also make their homes in the holes that form in the collars of long fallen branches. Those branches are consumed by fungi, which return the tree’s nutrients to the soil to complete the cycle.

Screech Owl via KMorrison

Snags, common in the wild, are often removed from cities because a dead tree will ultimately fall on and possibly damage damage nearby people and property. Even if the tree doesn’t pose a physical threat, people often associate dead things with ugliness, and will therefore remove it in favor of new plantings.

These are not completely unreasonable steps to take, but if you have a snag that is out of the way, let it stand and take advantage of it. You can plant a vine near the base and use it as a trellis, nail birdhouses or lights to it, turn it into a piece of sculpture, enjoy the wildlife that come around, or all of the above. With a little understanding and creativity, we can turn a problem into a solution to enrich and diversify our struggling urban ecosystems.

Here are a few photos of my favorite Austin snags:

Ent-like snag near the Colorado River

I transformed this snag into an organic lightpost by stripping off the bark.

Snag turned sculpture at a local Dentist's Office

Standing snag off Cherrywood

Skull on a snag near MLK