Green Horizons

Den trees tend to be rare or absent in forests managed for timber. That’s because diseased and dying trees are often the first to be felled and sent to the mill. Even in wild forests, den trees may be scarce because it may take decades for a tree to develop a useful cavity. Why wait for a den tree to develop naturally when you can make one today? A stumphouse is one such invention. It is easy to make. You can make one as a byproduct of cutting firewood. Here’s how.

		Choose a firewood tree and fell it. Sever the trunk as high as you conveniently can. How high? It’s up to you. But, be careful – work at safe height. How about using a ladder to make a high cut? Don’t even think about it! If you did not cut at an angle, you may wish to do so to provide a pitch to the top of the stumphouse.
		Next make a vertical cut down the center of the stump - about 12 inches should do it. Then make a horizontal cut to remove the half-section of wood.
		Now create the cavity by making two vertical cuts at right angles to the first cut followed by a crosswise plunge cut at the bottom. Be careful! Plunge cutting is a hazardous technique that should only be used by experienced sawyers. If you are a casual chain saw user, seek the help of a more experienced person.
		Reassemble the stumphouse by replacing the half-section of wood that you cut out and secure it to the side walls with screws or nails.
		Make the roof out of a slice from the end of the felled tree or use a board. Adding a hinge will make it easy to look inside. If you wish, you can provide a vent by notching out one or both of the side slabs

What animals will move in? A low stumphouse will make a home for snakes, lizards, mice, treefrogs and perhaps certain birds. Many cavity-nesting birds prefer a nest hole high above the ground. Plan to make some very high stumps during your next timber harvest. If your logger has a mechanical harvester capable of making high stumps, mark your den trees so he can cut them during the harvest How high? It’s up to you. Have him snip off a foot or so from the tall stump and leave it on the ground. You can use it to build a new cavity. Use a climbing deer stand to haul your new den up and set it on top. Nail it in place. And there you have it – instant den tree.

Editor’s Note: Adapted with permission from the May/June 2007 issue of Tree Farmer magazine