How sycamores support wildlife

Hello, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making It Grow. The structural weakness of sycamores with limbs that easily break off forming cavities and its hollow trunks is a boon to wildlife (and as we’ve talked about – settlers back in the day). I make hedge rows in two spots in my yard which serve as shelter from heat or cold and protection from hawks and foxes for small mammals and birds. Instead of putting dead limbs and such out for pickup, take them to a place in your yard that’s not facing your neighbor’s picture window. Put the largest limbs and such on the bottom and then layer with smaller and smaller limbs and then small branches that you’ve picked up. With sycamores you’ll have a good head start and if you have pecans your wildlife pile can be big enough for lots of critters.