Living deadwood
This trunk of a plane tree, which stood next to the former "Vorklinik" in Harrachgasse until August 2023, continues to provide a valuable habitat for a species-rich community. Fungi, insects, woodlice and other organisms use the tree and slowly break it down in the process. In forests, deadwood is also an important water reservoir and increases their resilience to climate change.
Two large plane trees had to be felled as part of the site clearance for the construction of the Graz Center of Physics building, which is expected to be completed in 2030. Due to their considerable trunk diameters, they can provide food as well as breeding and resting places for many species for many years as standing deadwood. For this reason, they will now be placed in the area of the campus in such a way that they can function as lying dead trees (in compliance with all necessary safety requirements) and can be colonised by woodpeckers, bats, xylobiont beetles, wild bees, solitary hymenoptera, etc.
