Wednesday, June 22, 2011

What do palms have in common with the Denver Zoo?




We're a Las Vegas-based tree care company, but our branches of community service (rather, our trunks in in this case) reach as far away as Denver, CO.  In our back lot, we've collected palm trunks from various jobs this year and have set them aside to be shipped off to the Denver Zoo.

Why?  Because feathered residents of the zoo need the ideal place to raise their young, and in Colorado, access to palm logs are limited. What's unique about these birds is that they require specific palm species to thrive during their time as young hatchlings.

Avian Propagation Keeper Michael Gallegos said that the Palm logs will be used as nests for several bird species, including Toucans, Hornbills, Micronesian Guam Kingfishers and Barbets. "Several of the logs will be hollowed out, then a wooden lid will be added to the top to seal the log cavity, and a single hole drilled into the side of the log will be an entrance for the birds," says Gallegos.  

The hollowed out logs will be repacked with mulch to give the birds the opportunity to go through the motions of excavating the log themselves, as this stimulates breeding.  

First Choice Tree Service is committed to helping communities beautify, care for, and conserve their trees.  We're driven by our commitment to sustainability and recycling, so providing these trunks to the Denver Zoo couldn't make us happier.

 Keel Billed Toucan - Breeding Pair will raise their young in logs provided by First Choice Tree Service.

Look closely for the young Green Acari getting ready to fledge his log.