Giving Nature a Home: Creating Tree Hollows for Wildlife

At Koala Conservation Australia, conservation isn’t just about protecting koalas — it’s about supporting the entire web of life that surrounds them. That’s why, as part of the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital redevelopment, we’ve taken great care to ensure that even the trees we’ve had to remove will continue to play a vital role in supporting local wildlife.
A key focus of this work is the creation of tree hollows — a critical but often overlooked part of our native ecosystems.

Why Tree Hollows Are So Important

Tree hollows are natural shelters used by hundreds of Australian animal species — from parrots, lorikeets and kookaburras, to possums, gliders and microbats. They provide safe nesting sites, daytime refuge, and protection from predators and harsh weather. Koalas don’t use hollows themselves, but the health of their ecosystem relies on the presence of other species that do.

The challenge is that hollows can take over a century to form naturally — and many of our old hollow-bearing trees are disappearing due to urban development, storms, and land clearing.

What We Found at the Koala Hospital Site

As we prepared for construction, our ecologists carefully assessed every tree to look for signs of wildlife activity and existing hollows. What we discovered was that most trees didn’t have usable hollows yet — they were in the very early stages of hollow formation. These “bark chews” and minor cavities are known as future hollow recruits, and while not suitable right now, they hint at the slow and beautiful process of nature creating future homes.

Importantly, no nesting lorikeets or other hollow-dependent birds were found on site during the winter clearing period. We also didn’t find signs of sugar gliders nesting (such as leaf nests), which may be due to gliders avoiding areas with heavy bird activity. One lone brushtail possum was carefully relocated and monitored to ensure its safety during tree removal.

Reusing Trees to Rebuild Habitat

Every tree we’ve had to remove is being repurposed with local wildlife in mind. Using a combination of recycled hollows, nest boxes, and artificial hollows made with hollow-creation tools, we’re making sure nature doesn’t miss out.

This includes:

• Recycled hollows – sections of tree trunks or branches containing existing or partially formed hollows are being cut and reinstalled as shelters in the Macquarie Nature Reserve, the Roto House precinct, and nearby habitat areas.
• Nest boxes – while not all nest boxes are created equal, we’re working with specialists to install new-generation boxes that are better suited for long-term wildlife use and improved insulation.
• Hollow-hog created hollows – a special tool that mimics natural processes to speed up the formation of hollows in living trees with the right structures.

All of these features will be strategically placed to maximise their value — spaced to align with wildlife home ranges, reduce competition, and avoid pressure from more dominant species like Corellas, which can impact koalas and smaller animals alike.

Conservation in Action

This isn’t just about offsetting what’s been lost — it’s about enhancing what’s possible. By giving semi-formed hollows a second life and using a range of tools to support hollow-dependent species, we’re taking a thoughtful, science-led approach to wildlife conservation right here in Port Macquarie.

This is also a collaborative effort. We’re proud to be working with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to install these habitat features in both the Macquarie Nature Reserve and surrounding parklands — ensuring a broader benefit for regional biodiversity.

A Better Future, Rooted in Care

We often say that every koala matters. But so too does every tree — and the life it may shelter, now or in the future. The redevelopment of the Koala Hospital is giving us a rare opportunity to thoughtfully regenerate habitat, protect biodiversity, and create safe spaces for wildlife to thrive.

Whether it’s a home for a nesting kookaburra, a refuge for a glider, or simply a future hollow waiting to happen — we’re committed to ensuring that nature continues to have a place to belong.

Stay tuned as we share updates on this important work — and celebrate how old trees can bring new life.