A couple of years ago, during a wind storm, I began to worry about a 100 ft Douglas fir tree in my back yard. Dead trees fall over during wind storms. I called a tree-climber and told him I wanted to leave at least 20 feet of the tree for wildlife. and I wanted him to drop the rest of the tree so it fell into the forest, also for wildife. He left about 40 feet standing. I was sure would still come crashing down on my house, but he assured me it wouldn't reach my roof. I think he was counting on it breaking at least three feet from the ground..
A Pileated woodpecker found it immediately, pecking away one winter morning.
Now a family of Northern Flickers has purchased one of the bird condos at the top of the tree.