“Why?” was my first question, though I think that was soon answered when I got a little closer. Firstly, the birch is host to Piptoporus betulinus, which has probably colonised throughout most of the structure, and there’s also a large cavity around two-thirds of the way up. Whether it’s actually home to anything now (or in the future, as it’s so absurdly exposed) following the massive and localised disturbance is open to debate, and in strong gusts this birch will likely topple and serve instead as coarse woody debris, thereby losing its value as a nesting site for birds more permanently. Regardless, it was interesting to stumble upon this sight, and perhaps some of you reading this may have other theories as to its retention.
.
Arboriculture 