Creature tower (Beestentoren)

Small gardens require optimal use of space. That's why Hans Carlier, a natural-garden designer in Zutphen, Holland, developed this useful and visually appealing tower in which a variety of animals can find a good home during all seasons.

The tower is built around a pole and has an underground home for hedgehogs. Hans says this lower space becomes a handy co-housing unit for toads, frogs and all manner of creeping creatures as well.

On top of this basement level, he made a pile of bricks and stone in which insects like bumblebees can make their nests. This is topped by rings of plywood with bundles of reeds in between to provide apartment space for other helpful insects.

The rings are covered with a table for winter feeding of birds, and the entire tower is topped by an attic where birds or bats can make their homes. The external walls of the avian apartments are covered with decorative rush matting. The crown on this elaborate, sculptural-looking tower is a bird bath, surrounded by drought-resistant sedum plants. Hans reports that, summer or winter, something interesting is always happening in and around his rustic critter tower.

For a view of Hans Carlier's gardens
keywords: hans carlier picasa tuinen

Step 1: Creature tower offers space for many creatures

With your own creativity you can build with the help of your children similar constructions.

Gives this tower a sunny place. Not far from your home to watch the animals.

The more nectar and small fruits and nesting space in your garden the more animals will make their home in your garden.


 

Comments

[cybersleuth]

I usually spend my winters looking through seed catalogues and researching new plants for the garden. But now that I’ve seen this wonderful creature tower, this winter has a new focus for me. I’m now learning about our local creature habits and habitats, and enjoy sketching ideas for building a tower we can all enjoy.
Thank you, Hans Carlier, for your thoughtful gift to our smaller brothers and sisters. We all share this earth together, and this is both a practical and joyful way to enrich the experience. And thank you also for presenting the construction of your creature tower in such a clear and inspiring manner.

[racoontnn]

Good idea to use the debris, it is always enough in the garden and is usually discarded. Creative solution to the problem shows that it can always be used.

[ludrup]

Hi

Can you tell me where you find the large rings of plywood that you use for the tower?

Many thanks

[dreamberry]

I Googled "Beestentoren" (images) and saw pictures of the rings being cut out from a large rectangular sheet of plywood. They traced around a large tub, then used a jigsaw to cut.

[Totysheep]

WoooooooW!!! Geweldig, zo'n beestentoren!!!! Ik wouw zo graag dat ik een tuin had, maar ik woon in een flatgebouw T-T

[Biggsy]

I may get my scouts to make something like this! Welldone

Jay

[Treasure Tabby]

Very cool. When I get my own place, that's one of the things I'd like to have in my yard. :)

[Uncle Kudzu]

Excellent idea! I see this as a lizard tower - a place for the green anoles to be safe from neighborhood cats. And who knows who else might take up residence? Thanks, Hans!

[Culturespy]

This is great! I remember when farmers where I grew up cut down all the hedgerows. The rabbit population plummeted almost immediately. Good for the crops but bad for everything that ate the rabbits. We lost hawks and falcons shortly after as well. This is such a good way to preserve habitat and rebuild local wildlife.