OkcPets Magazine September 2022

September / October 2022 • OKC Pets 23 season for most wildlife species. However, it’s always a good idea to monitor the tree or shrub before cutting branches to make sure no animals are roosting or hibernating in crevices or cavities or among the leaves and soil at its base. Fall and winter are also the time when most trees are dormant, which makes it a good time to prune to prevent damage to the tree. Leave Snags in Your Landscape The instinct of many property owners is to remove any dying or dead trees. Any tree that poses a safety risk to humans, pets, livestock, or property should be removed, but those that are not a risk can provide important food, shelter, and nesting re- sources for an abundance of wildlife. Dying or already dead trees in your landscape are called snags — even though the wood is dead, the trees support a lot of life. Snags have hollow spaces for cavity-nest- ing woodpeckers and owls, eastern blue- birds, tufted titmice, Carolina chickadees, Bewick’s wrens, wood ducks, eastern fox squirrels, and northern raccoons. Because insects live in the dead or dying trees throughout the year, they provide abundant food for nuthatches, flickers, bats, reptiles, and amphibians. Snags even provide food in the winter for animals that are not hibernating or bromating (a process similar to hibernation for reptiles and amphibians). Snags provide food storage for squirrels and roosting and perching areas for many bird species. If a snag must be removed, late fall is the best time of year to avoid disrupting squirrel nests (squirrels have a second litter in late summer) or interrupting the overwintering or hibernation spots of many wild animals. Handle Brush Piles Brush piles provide important habitat for many wild animals, offering protection from predators and harsh weather con- ditions. They also provide overwintering spots for butterflies, bats, and other small animals. Insects in the decomposing wood provide important food for songbirds, espe- cially in colder months when food is scarce. In the spring, brush piles offer nesting sites for birds, mammals such as cottontails and small rodents, and reptiles. Although WildCare recommends keep- ing as many brush piles intact as possible because of the rich resources they provide, homeowners often want to remove them to improve the aesthetics of their properties. Northern raccoons are orphaned when people trap and relocate their mothers who have often built dens in attics, sheds, or other buildings that have holes or are in disre- pair. This is preventable if people repair holes and gaps in roofs and eaves and under- neath porches or sheds in the fall. Mississippi kites rely on insects to survive and feed their young, with cicadas being one of their favorites. They most commonly catch insects, which need native plants to sur- vive and thrive. Fall is the best time to plan native trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses.