Routing to Accelerate Tree-Cavity Formation

Tree routing, as a means of accelerating the formation of cavities in trees, has potential as a habitat management technique for a variety of cavity-nesting wildlife species. To evaluate routing as a technique, cavities were routed in 48 red maples (Acer rubrum), 48 northern red oaks (Quercus rubra), and 48 white oaks (Quercus alba). After 3 years, 139 trees were still structurally sound, but 5 red maples had fractured at the routing site. About a third of the cavities contained standing water; 18% were closed by callus. Partially closed cavities (about 80% of all cavities) were used by southern flying squirrels (Glaucomnys volans) for feeding and denning. Further research is needed before routing can be recommended as a habitat management technique.