By Lily Rerecich

Earlier this year, my family had to trim some branches from our trees. Instead of immediately carting them away, we put the trimmings in a bare spot in our yard. Since we made this small brush pile, we have had the pleasure of watching an array of birds shelter in the wood or hop among the branches and twigs like a little wooden jungle gym. From the fluffy forms of Carolina and Bewick’s Wrens to the bright color of a Cardinal, the sight of birds in the brush is fun and entertaining throughout the year.

When we hear the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle,” we usually think of just putting cans and bottles in a bin. But setting aside trimmings is a natural way to reuse wood and give it a second purpose. In the natural environment, dead wood and trees become a part of the habitat and are used by birds as shelter and places to forage. While the branch’s time as part of a living tree may be over, it can become part of a habitat and a bird’s life as shelter and resource. You can do the same thing with extra wood or trimmings in your yard by simply placing the brush outside. Moreover, brush piles support birds and provide them with a crucial  sanctuary in a challenging world. 

Now, following the ice storm, our city is a bit of a mess of damage and downed wood. We may want to clean it up as fast as possible and “fix” it – and some things will need fixing. But we have an opportunity to reuse the fallen wood for a second – greater – purpose. Many people have a lot of downed branches, and no immediate or easy way to dispose of them. We can take this opportunity to give the branches a use. 

From all the losses of the storm, you can make something that protects and supports birds. If there is an HOA or other organization regulating where you can put things in your yard, a backyard brush pile may be a better option, as it was for my family. Whether a simple wood pile, or a few big branches for perching, consider using some of the fallen wood in a brush pile for the birds! While the playful amusements of avian antics are delightful to watch, more fulfilling still is the knowledge that the simple repurposing of the wood is helping birds right in your backyard!