When we think about wildlife gardening, we often picture ponds, wildflowers, or bird feeders.
But one of the simplest and most effective habitats you can create is something far less glamorous…
A pile of old logs.
Watch the video and read on for more details:
Why wildlife log piles matter
Log piles couldn’t be much simpler. They’re a pile of logs, intended to mimic the fallen trees that adorn wild ecosystems.
However, simple is usually best. And log piles can provide wildlife with:
Warmth
A south-facing log pile gets sun all day long. Perfect for cold-blooded animals that need to warm up before they go hunting or foraging.
Shelter
The logs give protection from the elements. Protection from wind, rain, and extreme temperatures.
A hibernation spot
For animals that hibernate, such as lizards and hedgehogs, the bottom of a log pile is perfect.
Protection from predators
Lizards often bask close to the edge of a log pile. Why? So they can run straight back inside when birds or other predators come close.
Food
Log piles are home to a huge diversity of wildlife species, ranging from fungi to insects and other small animals… so there’s a lot of eating going on inside.
Gardening more like nature
What I love about wildlife log piles is that they represent a different way of thinking about gardening. Instead of constantly clearing things away and tidying every corner, we can start asking how our gardens can function more like natural ecosystems.
A fallen tree in the wild doesn’t mark the end of something; it creates opportunity.
More light reaches the ground, fresh growth appears, insects move in, fungi begin breaking down the wood, and an entire chain of life develops around it. As gardeners, we can recreate and shape those natural processes, even in the smallest gardens.
Have you ever seen lizards in your garden?
Even though lizards aren’t especially rare in the UK, I hardly ever see them. So I’m really hoping that some will find the south-facing log pile in our own garden.
I’d love to hear what wildlife you’ve found in your own garden recently. Any lizards?
Please leave a comment below.
Until next time, happy biomimicking (is that even a word?)
Joe
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