February 21, 2022

Brush Fence

Some of our property is fenced, some of it isn't. The garden and pastures are, but our woods aren't. But the woods is where I take the goats to browse, and while they mostly stick close to me, they don't recognize property lines and don't mind invading the neighbors to see what they've got growing. 

We've talked about fencing the woods, but it would be a big job. It just never makes it close to the top of the to-do list. One reason for that is because we've had a lot of pine trees fall since we bought the place.


We used to think it was because of disease or insect problems, but finally figured out that what we were observing was natural succession. The land was farmed 80 or so years ago, and the pines sprung up when the land went fallow. They grew fast, tall, and spindly, so that by the time we arrived, they were ready to give way to hardwood saplings. We're happy to see the hardwoods growing, but the fallen pines have made a real mess of the woods. 

We've made the best of the waste. Dan has milled a lot of thesm (see some of them here), but that still leaves a lot of branches. Some of the branches get chipped, and some of them become my brush fence.  

I cut them and pile them up along the property line.

Once the piles get high enough, the goats stay on their side.

Trees along the property line help hold them in place.

Every year or so they settle and need more branches piled on top.

Progress is slow, but I'm getting my walking trails back.

I work on it until the goats head back to the barn.

I doubt my brush fences would keep coyotes out, but they are very effective for keeping the goats on the homestead. And, they're free! Plus, it's good exercise and nice to see things getting tidied up. 

18 comments:

Toirdhealbheach Beucail said...

That is a innovative use of what you have Leigh! That said, any risk of forest fires in your area? This is a huge risk at the Ranch and probably which such an otherwise good idea (Fallen trees? I have fallen trees.) would be risky.

Mama Pea said...

What a great use of debris AND your time as you're "babysitting" the goats while they get to browse in the woods! And unless they're starving (which I know yours would never be), the goats won't attempt to make a breakout. What good thinking!

Ed said...

I've seen similar tactics used in Africa to keep lions out of villages.

Leigh said...

TB, in a fire risk area, this would not be a good idea! We pretty much have zero fire risk, so it works here.

Mama Pea, it's nice when things like this work out! Problem solving with free materials is a win-win!

Ed, I remember reading about brush fences in Africa too, but I can't find where I first learned of it. I didn't realize it was for lions though. Thanks for the reminder!

Lady Locust said...

I think years ago, a crude "stick" fence would be made then briars planted to intertwine & that was the fence. See so you are historically accurate :-)

LindaG said...

That's great!
You all be safe and God bless.

Leigh said...

Lady Locust, what you describe makes me think of a waddle fence. I think they are very nice looking! Mine is just a pile of branches. Not terribly aesthetic, but they work. :)

LindaG, thanks!

Michelle said...

Another great project idea from the Tates!

Retired Knitter said...

I have a friend who has property in western MD and it is enough for them to have walking paths through the woods. She has begun collecting tree fall branches and making natural fencing on her property too. Very early American!

Leigh said...

Michelle, I don't know about great, but it works!

RT, I've seen photos of some gorgeous rustic branch fences. Beautiful! I'm not quite that clever, so mine are just a long pile of branches. But they work and it's nice to get the brush out of the way. :)

daisy g said...

Love your ingenuity! I love wattle fences, but they are quite time consuming to make. This is the same basic idea, and I'm sure is still very time intensive. Great job!

Leigh said...

Daisy, I love the look of wattle fences, but I've never tried to construct one. I think one would have to use fairly straight green (pliable) sticks for the weaving. Mine isn't as pretty, but it seems to do the job!

Nina said...

That's a great idea for a fence. Every year I pick up sticks after every storm or windy day. Not nearly as many as you have, but enough to make a pile which is 5 feet tall by 15 feet long. Every spring, hubby turns it into fuel to help when he's boiling sap for maple syrup. Like you, we're lucky it's not a huge fire issue here.

Nancy In Boise said...

great use of natural materials!

Leigh said...

Nina, that's another great use of brush and sticks. I'm often down in the woods with my kindling basket!

Nancy, thanks!

Chris said...

I'm glad you picked-up what the land was telling you about natural succession. I know I feel a sense of great elation and connectedness, when the land speaks to me in those personable ways. Because it's ancient wisdom in my backyard. In comparison, my own life-time feels relatively short. I'll soon be old enough, for a hardwood tree to reach maturity, lol, so that's really saying something!

I love the way you've turned your resources, into a valuable contribution to your land stewardship. Plus the goats look happy. 😉

Susans Zoo Crew said...

I started doing this myself until a water moccasin took up residence in one pile...pile is now ashes (moved it before burning!).

Leigh said...

Chris, I know what you mean about the joy of using available resources in useful ways. The problem is that we're so conditioned to buy solutions to problems and needs, that it takes some retraining to think differently. Not having much money has really helped with that!

Susan, yikes! Oh my, that is not a desired outcome! Brush pile do attract various kinds of wildlife as shelter, that can be good or bad. Poisonous snakes are definitely in the bad column.