Hollowhog Piglet – professional tool for creating tree cavities

Hollowhog Piglet is a specially developed tool for arborists, biologists and conservationists who want to create safe and durable cavities in both living and dead trees. The tool is designed and manufactured in Australia, and is used today by professionals around the world to create habitats for cavity-dependent animals – quickly, safely and with minimal impact on the tree's health.

Why create artificial cavities?

Over 1000 animal species globally – and up to 40% of mammals and birds in some regions – depend on natural tree cavities for nesting, resting and raising their young. Due to modern forestry, fires and urbanization, these cavities have become extremely rare.

Traditional solutions such as nest boxes or chainsaw cutouts have several challenges:

• Short lifespan and high maintenance

• Significant damage to the tree's living tissue

• Poor insulation and temperature regulation

• Long time before natural cavities develop

Hollowhog Piglet solves these problems by creating cavities directly in the tree – gently, quickly and with full control over size and shape.

Why choose Hollowhog Piglet?

✅ Creates large cavities through small openings

Piglet can create a cavity through an entrance hole down to 50 mm, without damaging the tree's cambium (living layer). This creates a strong and naturally integrated cavity that the tree itself continues to grow around.

✅ Ideal for both living and dead trees

The tool has been tested in some of the world's hardest woods, and works just as well in soft wood.

✅ Minimal damage – maximum lifespan

Since the tool does not require cutting out a large “plate” as with the chainsaw method, the tree's strength and health are preserved. The cavity will be able to last for several decades – often as long as the tree itself lives.

✅ Easy to adapt to different species

Both entrance size, shape and internal volume can be adjusted to suit:

• Birds

• Mammals

• Reptiles

• Insects

• Fish and aquatic species (in logs submerged in water)

With different modifiers, you can also create narrower entrances or shape the cavity's geometry as needed.

✅ Safe to use for arborists

After approx. 30 seconds, all moving parts are inside the cavity. This provides a safer working process than chainsawing, especially at height.

What is Hollowhog Piglet used for?

Piglet is perfect for:

• Creating new cavities in suitable logs

• Creating habitat in dead trees and logs

• Restoration projects where cavities have been lost

• Projects for mammals, birds, bats, reptiles and small game

• Marine and water-related habitats (logs in water)

• Combination with hollowed logs mounted on trees

Installers report that a medium cavity takes approx. 40 minutes to create, and it is common to install 6–8 cavities per day.

Why not just use a chainsaw?

Hollowhog has been developed as a safer and more tree-friendly alternative:

Who uses it?

Hollowhog tools are used by:

• Arborists

• Environmental organizations

• Municipalities and nature management

• Researchers

• Nature restoration projects

• Installation teams in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Great Britain

Summary

Hollowhog Piglet is the most efficient, tree-friendly and safe tool for creating cavities directly in trees. Whether you are working with nature restoration, biodiversity, research or as a professional arborist, Piglet is an essential tool in the field.

Create habitats – preserve biodiversity – with Hollowhog Piglet.