Arborist Consulting & Permits
BC Wildlife and Danger Tree Assessments on Vancouver Island
A BC Wildlife/Danger Tree Assessment determines whether a tree is a safety hazard to workers or the public and also its value as wildlife habitat, so valuable wildlife trees can be retained safely where possible. Oakstead Tree & Property Care provides these assessments around Victoria, Saanich and the Cowichan Valley, led by Jon's long experience planning wildlife tree retention in British Columbia.
In plain words
This assessment checks if a tree is a danger to workers or the public. It also checks the tree's value as a home for wildlife. Where possible, useful wildlife trees are kept safely.
The purpose of this assessment is not simply to determine if a tree is dangerous, but additionally, to determine its value for wildlife. What is a wildlife tree? According to the Wildlife Tree Committee of BC, “A Wildlife Tree is any standing dead or live tree with special characteristics that provide valuable habitat for the conservation or enhancement of wildlife.” What constitutes a good wildlife tree on the West Coast? Trees with several of these characteristics:
- Douglas Fir, Cottonwood, Cedar, Hemlock, True Firs
- Greater than 15m in height
- Greater than 70cm in diameter
- Wind firm, with sound root system
- Broken top
- Some large branches
- Loose bark with space behind
- Nest cavities and feeding holes
- Some evidence of decay, particularly internal (i.e. conks or cankers)
- A sound firm shell
- Suited to species
More than 80 species of vertebrates (birds & mammals) and countless invertebrates (insects), plants, fungi and bacteria in British Columbia depend on these habitat features for part of their life cycle. And these features are becoming increasingly hard to find. Does your tree have wildlife value? Is it safe? Call Oakstead Tree & Property Care. We can help you make the determination. We can even help you determine which are the most important trees for local species. In the past Jon developed keys and flow charts to assist logging companies with choosing the best Wildlife Tree candidates for their area. Over the course of his career, Jon, through assessment and planning of Wildlife Trees and Old Growth reserves, has saved and established countless wildlife trees in British Columbia.
BC Wildlife/Danger Tree Assessment: frequently asked questions
What is a wildlife tree?
The Wildlife Tree Committee of BC defines a wildlife tree as any standing dead or live tree with special characteristics that provide valuable habitat for the conservation or enhancement of wildlife. Features include nest cavities, feeding holes, loose bark, broken tops and large branches.
Does a dead tree always have to be removed?
Not always. A standing dead tree can be valuable habitat if it is wind-firm with a sound shell and root system. A wildlife/danger tree assessment determines whether it poses a hazard to people or property and whether it can be safely retained for wildlife.
How do I know if my tree has wildlife value?
Good west coast wildlife trees are often Douglas-fir, cottonwood, cedar, hemlock or true firs that are large, wind-firm and show features like cavities, loose bark, broken tops or internal decay with a sound shell. Oakstead can assess your tree and advise which trees matter most for local species.
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