Homestead
BDN’s Homestead section is a celebration of rural life. Our writers cover small farms, animals, DIY solutions and fascinating Maine people who find unique ways to live simply. Read more Homestead stories here.
Secure fencing is crucial to a successful homestead, but it can take a lot of work and expense to create options that last, especially on pasture.
With tree cuttings and a lot of patience, though, you could create your own living plant hedges or fencing.
It’s an old, time-tested solution to problems homesteaders still face today. With time and care, the permanent, natural fencing is capable of keeping livestock penned or providing beautiful habitat for local wildlife.
“Living fence” is a newer, more literal term for a process known as “hedgelaying” that’s been popular in the United Kingdom for hundreds of years. At its most basic, it describes fences or hedges built from living plants that are spliced and woven over a period of years.
Thin, fast-growing species such as willow are popular choices, and they can be woven into artistic diamond shapes, arches, tunnels or even chicken shelters if you’re ambitious. Because they’ve been made for such a long time, you can find lots of inspiration for new and historic approaches from different regions online or in books.
You can start by planting flexible and fast-growing plants such as willow, hawthorn, hazelnut, mountain ash or red-twig alder about 6 inches apart.
Once the plants grow several feet high, you cut stems on a downward angle — nearly but not quite severing them — and lay them down to the side. You can add stakes at regular intervals for more stability.
Some willow species and other plants adapted to hedgelaying are invasive in Maine, so check the state’s list of invasives before you start. If you’re concerned about mice or voles near your house or garden, try this fence option farther away so you won’t create more habitat for them.
Elderberries, grape vines, passionfruit, blackberries or raspberries can be added for an edible variation.
Simpler living fences are possible, too. You can create a “dead hedge” of piled natural material or a simple wooden fence and train live vining plants to grow along it. Larger woody trees such as apples can also be trained to grow horizontally instead of upward, a process called espaliering.