Supporting the NSW Government effort to protect tree hollows and the species that depend on them.
Many of our local native animals depend on tree hollows to survive —but these natural homes are vanishing. As mature trees are lost, so too are the hollows that threatened species rely on for nesting, shelter and safety. There are at least 174 animal species in NSW that rely on tree hollows and fallen logs for their survival.
This includes 46 mammals, 81 birds, 31 reptiles and 16 frogs! Of these species, 40 are listed as threatened, and the availability of large, hollow bearing trees is key to their survival. Unfortunately tree hollows take hundreds of years to form, but they are disappearing quickly and are hard to replace.
The NSW Government Department of Environment and Heritage is calling on the community to protect hollow-bearing trees and fallen debris, and spread the word on their importance.
What are tree hollows?
Tree hollows are holes in the trunk or branches of living or dead trees. They are formed by wind breakage, lightning strikes, and attacks from termites, insects, or fungi. Wildlife can also shape tree hollows using their beaks, teeth, and claws.
Hollows usually form in older, mature trees, but can also form in younger ones depending on the species. They vary in size—from small openings just 2cm wide, to large hollows with entrances of 30 cm or more. A large, deep hollow suitable for a powerful owl can take up to 200 years to form.
Why are hollow-bearing trees important?
Trees play a vital role in supporting native wildlife, offering food, shelter, and nesting sites. Hollow-bearing trees are especially important—they provide safe, insulated spaces for animals to breed, raise their young, and hide from predators. These natural hollows offer protection from harsh weather and temperature extremes.
Different animals need different types of hollows. Some, like the eastern pygmy possum and brush-tailed phascogale, prefer small, narrow hollows. Others, such as the powerful owl, require large hollows at least half a metre deep. Having a range of hollows across the landscape is essential to support a diversity of species.
The Port Macquarie Hastings region alone is home to over 20 threatened species that rely on tree hollows and fallen debris for their survival. Scroll through the gallery below to meet our local hollow-reliant threatened species.
Want to know more about our local hollow-dwellers? See our Threatened Species of the Month articles on the Southern Greater Glider, Southern Myotis, Powerful Owl and Spotted-tailed Quoll.
Why are hollow-bearing trees disappearing?
Extensive clearing in NSW has greatly impacted the numbers and distribution of hollow-bearing trees. In the past 200 years it is estimated 70% of native vegetation has been cleared from key regions of NSW—including inland farming zones, the high country of the Great Dividing Range, and much of the coastal plain. This includes parts of our own region along the Mid North Coast. Clearing in NSW has continued at an estimated rate of 30,000 ha per annum since 1995.
Unfortunately this will take centuries to fix, given the slow nature of hollow development.
The good news? We can all play a part in protecting what remains.
How you can help:
We can all save the homes of our native wildlife:
- Keep and protect all trees with hollows, even if they are dead.
- Allow native vegetation to regrow and regenerate.
- Leave fallen logs and debris on the ground.
- Learn about the importance of tree hollows as homes and share this knowledge with your neighbours and community.
- Register a hollow with the Hollows as Homes citizen science project on iNaturalist.
Farmers—Did You Know Hollow-Bearing Trees Can Benefit Your Property?
More farmers are keeping or reintroducing paddock trees to boost agricultural productivity and provide habitat for native wildlife. Young trees are valuable even if they don’t have hollows yet, as they will likely develop hollows in the future.
Retaining and restoring native vegetation on your land can help provide shade and shelter for livestock and crops; reduce wind speed and prevent soil erosion; and improve soil health; all while supporting our native species.
Interested in the latest sustainability news and stories in the Port Macquarie Hastings region? Check out the Environment Matters newsletter to stay up to date.
