As a wildlife biologist who lives and works amongst oak forests I cannot express the importance of large natural cavities that old decadent oak trees provide for wildlife. Not only are these cavities utilized by numerous wildlife species for nesting or denning, but they are extremely important for year-round roosting and sleeping. Just think what you you do if all of a sudden your house was gone due to some disaster ... you would immediately know that you must seek shelter for you and your family. Well, the same with wildlife!
So many times I have seen landowners remove old oak trees just because a single limb falls, which totally removes that intrinsic wildlife habitat value. It is best to just understand and live with the oaks ... don't place picnic tables, sheds, vehicles, barns or houses directly underneath them. Instead give them their space and enjoy their aesthetic value and the wildlife that are attracted to them.
Here you see a Western Screech Owl (Otus kennicottii) sunning itself on the edge of its roosting cavity in a large California Valley Oak. These owls are more commonly heard than seen, but are the most common owl species in our North Coast oak woodland habitat and at the UC Hopland Research & Extension Center.
