As you walk through the forest you will see a lot of “dead” trees. We call the dead trees that are still standing snags. Our newest snag is a Loblolly Pine tree which was struck by lightning in the summer of 2022. As it died, it retained all of its needles, which died with the tree, turning brown. Eventually, all of the needles and then the limbs will fall off turning it into a true snag. Many of the dead trees are lying on the forest floor. These dead trees have an exciting role to play in the ecology of the forest.

The snags provide very important habitats for a number of species. As you walk through the park, take a careful look at the snags. You will notice round holes along the sides of some of them. These were made by woodpeckers that depend on dead trees for nesting sites. Other animals, including flying squirrels and Eastern Screech-Owls, make use of abandoned woodpecker nests.

The decomposing trees on the forest floor provide food and shelter for many more species of nesting birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Some species of native bees, major pollinators of flowers and flowering shrubs in the forest, use fallen trees for their home. Spiders, beetles, worms, and microbes feed within the decaying wood. Mushrooms flourish on logs, helping with the decomposition that releases important nutrients back into the forest ecosystem.

The Lorraine Cherry Nature Preserve has always made a nice home for woodpeckers because of all of the trees. Woodpeckers have interesting physical adaptations that allow them to perch on the side of trees and drill into wood. They have short legs and very pointed nails that make it easier for them to clutch on to the bark of trees. A pair of firm and centrally located tail feathers support them like a brace and keep them upright on trees.

Bristle-like feathers over their nostrils help woodpeckers to ward off wood flakes created by pecking. A very thick skull and large neck muscles protect the brain of woodpeckers from shocks caused by persistent pecking behavior. And, although there is an actual woodpecker named the Red-headed Woodpecker, nearly all of the woodpecker males have red on their heads.

Two species of woodpeckers, which are common year-round in Houston that can be seen and heard at The Lorraine Cherry Nature Preserve, are the small black and white Downy Woodpecker, and the mid-sized Red-bellied Woodpecker. Two species that are seen and heard primarily in the winter months are the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and the Northern Flicker.

Because of new housing developments in our area, the Pileated Woodpecker’s surrounding habitat has shrunk significantly and the birds have seemingly moved to where they have more flying and foraging space. In addition, in the spring during migration, you might spot the striking Red-headed Woodpecker stopping by. This species is now considered Near Threatened, and is diminishing in numbers in our area. Having once been seen in our preserve fairly often, it is now only observed occasionally during spring migration.