The Hollow Log Journal
Zoo enrichment insights, wildlife habitat tips, and stories from the field — written by the team at IC WOOD.
15 posts
Sam Gribley's Hollow Hemlock: The Real Science Behind My Side of the Mountain
Jean Craighead George's 1959 novel sent generations of children into the woods looking for a hollow tree to live in. The hollow hemlock Sam Gribley calls home is fictional — but the survival science behind it is completely real.
The Pringle Brothers: Two Men Who Lived Inside a Tree for Two Years
In 1764, John and Samuel Pringle deserted the British Army and disappeared into the West Virginia wilderness. For two years, their home was the hollow interior of a giant sycamore tree. This is the most documented account of humans living inside a hollow log in American history.
Drive-Through Trees, Tunnel Logs, and the Hollow That Captures Every Imagination
The Chandelier Tree, the Wawona Tunnel Tree, the Balch Park sequoia — why do humans travel hundreds of miles to drive a car through a tree? And what does that tell us about the hollow log tunnels now showing up in parks, zoos, and playgrounds everywhere?
What Is a Crawl-Through Log? Everything Buyers Need to Know
Crawl-through logs show up in zoos, schools, playgrounds, and backyards — but what exactly are they, how are they made, and where do you actually buy a real one?
Natural Playground Tunnel Ideas: The Case for Real Wood
Planning a natural playground and considering a tunnel element? Here is why a real hollow log outperforms every other option — and how to choose the right one for your space.
Real Log Tunnels for Playgrounds: What to Know Before You Buy
Not all log tunnels are created equal. Here is what separates a real crawl-through log from a plastic imitation — and why it matters for kids, schools, and parks.
The World's Most Famous Hollow Logs: From Balch Park's Giant Sequoia to Modern Architecture
From a drive-through sequoia in the California mountains to a patented mechanical hollowing process that brings massive natural timber into modern public spaces — the story of the world's most famous hollow logs.
Investing in Nature: Why a Real Hollow Log Offers the Ultimate Long-Term Budget ROI for Public Parks
In accounting, a 'hollow log' is a fund that looks full on paper but conceals nothing of real value. In public parks procurement, the opposite is true — and the numbers prove it.
Red Panda Enrichment: Why the Hollow Log Is the Single Best Investment You Can Make
Red pandas are den-obligate, arboreal, and highly sensitive to environmental stress. A properly sized hollow log addresses all three of those realities at once. Here's what the research and our zoo partners tell us about getting it right.