Rewilding My Lot

One of the first things I did when starting the garden last year was obtain a pile of logs from a dead tree that was cut down and assemble them into a wood pile. I planted a Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora) in one of the internal pockets of the pile, and then pretty much left the whole thing alone. Every once in a while, I have cut back Frogfruit that wandered too far from the pile, but other than that there has been zero management.

So what I have I seen going on there?

Ants moved in immediately and have been constant residents as far as I can tell. There’s a fairly big mound outside and who knows what else is inside.

I’ve seen native bees flying in and out of the pile and even resting in small holes in logs.

Other holes in the wood have been occupied or filled with something.

Twice I have seen a lizard-like creature scuttle into the pile, but each time it moved too fast for an identification.

Occasionally I see fungi, especially after periods of rain.

Phaon Crescent butterflies visit their host plant, Frogfruit.

So the wood pile is doing what I wanted: The logs are slowly decaying and the pile is home or shelter for a variety of creatures and microorganisms. I will never know what is deep inside the pile, but I don’t need to. It is my gift to the little ecosystem here.