What's in Your Log Pile?

[Jason Green]

Evening WAB'ers!

Pretty soon I'm hoping to start a garden log pile - and so for inspiration I'd be interested in hearing your about successes or problems if any, what works best or any key species of wood, plants, etc. that I should include.

What invertebrates, fungi, mosses/lichens/liverworts, plants, wildflowers or other wildlife have you found in such areas? Mine will be in the shade which I suppose is best?

Thanks all!!

Take care,

Jason

[kittykat]

This may sound like a silly question, but I've never heard of anyone doing this. Are you literally going to take logs and pile them up as a home for all sorts of interesting critters?

[Venger]

Depends if its a log pile for nature or a log pile for burning (you'll need two for this)

[Jason Green]

For nature.

[tameblackbirds]

Started mine last summer so not alot there yet will have a closer look tomorrow. a small trunk in the garden has rotted down no fungi mainly moss and wood lice

[Susie]

I've never thought to disect my log pile. It is quietly mouldering away in a corner. I noticed some bracket fungus on it last autumn but haven't investigated further. Its about 18 months old now.

I think I would be a bit miffed if someone pulled my home apart but I guess it won't do any harm in the long run. I shall have a look at what resides there over the weekend if time permits.

[Action_Man]

I have log pile of sorts, it attracts all sorts of insects, one of the main benifits, to me, is that it serves as a breeding ground for Opiliones, but there are lots of different kinds of insects under there, too numerous to mention .

Try and place it in a dark sunless place in your garden ...

[moleydee]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Evening WAB'ers!

Pretty soon I'm hoping to start a garden log pile - and so for inspiration I'd be interested in hearing your about successes or problems if any, what works best or any key species of wood, plants, etc. that I should include.

What invertebrates, fungi, mosses/lichens/liverworts, plants, wildflowers or other wildlife have you found in such areas? Mine will be in the shade which I suppose is best?

Thanks all!!

Take care,

Jason

found baby mice in my compost bin 2 wks ago!
i put the lil things back went back later they had gone phew!
hope they dont relocate in my house

[tinca]

Try burying a bucket with holes drilled in next to your pile fil lit with wood chips, rotten wood,leaves and soil and cover with a couple of logs/pieces of timber you can then lift it out and empty it to give you a good idea of whatis in your pile without disturbing it, the contents can be put back in the bucket and the whole thing put back. Also bury some of your logs in the ground a lot of the residents like this .

[BloomingMarvellous]

Am I right In thinking that when Mice are disturbed with young In Tow they Eat them to become strong enough to Move on and rear more young in a different area ?