Hollow Hog, Carved Hollows and Habitat Creation
Did you know hollows can take hundreds of years to form?
Natural tree hollows provide critical nesting and shelter habitat for Australian wildlife — but suitable hollows can take generations to develop.
Balanced Tree Care uses specialist HollowHog equipment to create species-specific habitat hollows within suitable trees, helping provide nesting and shelter opportunities for hollow-dependent wildlife.
See how the Hollow Hog Works
Speeding up the Process
Tree hollows are an essential habitat resource for many Australian birds, mammals, reptiles and other fauna.
But suitable natural hollows can take many decades — and sometimes centuries — to develop.
Where mature hollow-bearing trees have been lost or habitat is fragmented, carved hollows can provide an additional habitat resource while natural hollows continue developing across the landscape.
Why HollowHog?
-
![Close-up of a tree trunk with a large, hollowed-out section, showing the inner reddish wood surrounded by grayish bark, with green foliage and blue sky in the background.]()
Mimics Natural Hollows
Creates internal cavities that would otherwise take 10’s-100’s of years to form.
-
![Close-up of a tree trunk showing a fresh cut at a park or forested area, with bark peeling and splintered wood visible, surrounded by trees and greenery.]()
Built within the Tree
Habitat is created within the tree itself rather than attached externally. Increasing stability, insulation and longevity.
-
![A close-up of a tree trunk cross-section with visible growth rings, seen through a cut opening in the tree. A measuring stick is placed vertically across the image, showing measurements from 0 to 60 centimeters.]()
Species-Specific Design
Entrance and cavity dimensions can be designed around target fauna.
-
![A small animal, possibly a bat or raccoon, climbing on a tree trunk at night, captured by a trail camera with glowing eyes.]()
Proven in the Field
Thousands of hollows carved across hundreds of sites, with strong nesting uptake.
-
![A person wearing an orange jacket and black pants is working on a large, textured tree trunk with climbing gear, while another person wearing a blue jacket and helmet observes, surrounded by a dense, green forest.]()
Australian Made
By Matt Stephens. A tool and process created with a simple mission to provide better nesting opportunties for Australian hollow dependent fauna.
Our Process
-
We assess the tree, available woody structure, site conditions, ecological objectives and target fauna.
-
Entrance size, cavity dimensions, depth, orientation and installation location are selected to suit the project.
-
Our arborists use specialist HollowHog equipment to progressively excavate the internal cavity.
-
Where required, each habitat asset can be photographed, measured, GPS recorded and added to a project register.
Ask our tennants what they think..
-
![A small animal, possibly a bat or a small mammal, seen on a tree trunk at night with reflective eyes and pointy ears.]()
Greater Gliders
-
![Close-up of shallow water on a sandy beach showing intricate light reflections and small rocks.]()
Cockatoos
-
![Modern house with outdoor patio, white lounge chairs, swimming pool, trees, and desert landscaping.]()
Squirrel Gliders
-
![A close-up of a field of daisies with white petals and yellow centers, some flowers are in bloom while others are buds, with a blurred background.]()
Masked Lorikeets
-
![Pink and white galah parrot perched in a hollow of a tall tree trunk surrounded by green leaves and partially obscured branches.]()
Galahs
Recent Projects
-
![A tree with a large hole in its trunk, surrounded by green foliage and some climbing plants.]()
Hollow Hog - QLD Hydro - Black Glossy Cockatoo
-
![A bat hanging upside down on a tree trunk at night, with glowing eyes reflecting the camera flash.]()
Mid Coast Council - Greater Glider Breeding Event
-
![Four people dressed in safety vests and outdoor clothing standing on a grassy area, looking up and using binoculars, with hills and a clear blue sky in the background.]()
Hollow Hog - Transport NSW - Coffs Bypass
-
![A person wearing safety equipment, including a helmet and orange jacket, sitting on a branch of a large tree. Surrounding equipment and tools are placed at the base of the tree in a natural outdoor setting.]()
Tree House Ecology - City of Sydney
-
![A hole in a tree with a colorful bird resting inside.]()
Hollow Hog - City of Blacktown
-
![A person wearing an orange jacket, safety helmet, and harness is climbing a large tree using climbing equipment, such as ropes and carabiners.]()
Hollow Hog - City of Parramatta
-
![A person wearing a helmet and yellow jacket climbing a large tree with a rough, hollowed-out section, surrounded by green foliage.]()
Hollow Hog - Transport NSW - Wagga Wagga
-
![A person climbing a large tree with climbing gear attached to the trunk, which has multiple hollows and a smooth bark. The scene appears to be outdoors with some grassy terrain and other trees in the background, under a slightly overcast sky.]()
Hollow Hog - Superb Parrot
Frequently Asked Questions
Want to learn more about the hog?
-
Habitat augmentation involves creating, enhancing or retaining habitat features to increase the ecological value of trees and landscapes. This can include carved tree hollows, habitat tree conversions, installation of nest boxes and the relocation or retention of naturally occurring habitat features.
-
The HollowHog is a specialised tool used to create purpose-built hollows within suitable living or retained trees. These hollows can provide immediate shelter and nesting opportunities for hollow-dependent wildlife while natural hollows can take many decades—or even centuries—to develop.
-
Carved hollows can be designed for a range of Australian hollow-dependent fauna, including gliders, microbats, possums, parrots, cockatoos, owls and other native species. Hollow dimensions, entrance size, orientation and internal characteristics can be adapted to suit nominated target species.
-
They serve different purposes. Nest boxes can provide valuable artificial habitat where carved can’t. Carved hollows offer habitat within the tree itself and can offer different thermal, structural and longevity characteristics. The appropriate approach depends on the target species, site conditions and objectives of the habitat program.
-
Yes. Balanced Tree Care can deliver habitat works to specifications developed by project ecologists, environmental consultants, councils or other project stakeholders. We can also collaborate during planning to determine what is practical from an arboricultural and climbing perspective.
-
In suitable circumstances, naturally occurring hollow-bearing sections of trees can be retained and relocated rather than being lost during tree removal or development works. The appropriate method depends on the condition of the timber, target fauna, project requirements and proposed receiving site.
-
Yes. Habitat projects can be documented with asset identification, photographs, installation details, tree and hollow information, GPS locations and completion reporting to suit project requirements. This provides clients with a clear record for asset management, monitoring and future ecological assessment.
-
Can you deliver large habitat augmentation programs?Yes. Balanced Tree Care can undertake individual habitat installations through to larger multi-site programs. Works can be coordinated with ecologists, project managers, arborists and other contractors to deliver consistent habitat specifications and project documentation across multiple locations.
-
Balanced Tree Care undertakes specialist habitat and ecological arboriculture projects across NSW, with established project experience throughout Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Mid North Coast and other regional areas. Travel for larger habitat augmentation and biodiversity projects can be arranged throughout NSW.
-
Our habitat services are suited to local and state government, ecological consultants, environmental organisations, infrastructure and development projects, schools, land managers and private landholders seeking specialist arboricultural input into biodiversity and habitat outcomes.