By the time you get through all that pruning, sawing, pulling, and trimming those herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees you probably have a good size pile of brush. That is exactly what you need for your new brush pile.
Simply put, that large pile of woody and vegetative debris becomes a wildlife habitat to conceal critters from predators, to serve as a nesting site, and to protect them from the weather. The critters may include small mammals, birds, lizards, amphibians, insects, fungus, and even plant seeds. For example, eastern cottontails may use it for protection and nesting. If placed near feeding sites, songbirds use it as a safe place to forage and perch. When placed adjacent to a water source, amphibians and reptiles use it for feeding, breeding, and nesting.
Building a brush pile is free using your debris and as easy as stacking it in a manner useful as a habitat. Locate your brush pile at the far edge of your property (a corner edge is ideal), but away from buildings. Depending on your landscape, a brush pile can be as high as 8 feet and as wide as 20 feet.
It consists of three layers: a foundation, a middle, and a roof. Build the foundation with logs (6 to 12-inch diameter) spaced parallel to one another about a foot apart. Place a row of logs on top and perpendicular to these making a hatch shape. Make the middle layer with smaller branches overlapping and perpendicular to the logs. Continue alternating these until the desired height is reached (3 to 6-feet). The roof consists of a mixture of loose brush, leaves, and evergreen branches woven together for “weather-resistance”. You might even put in a basement by randomly hoeing a few depressions in between the foundation logs.
Add shade vine as an interesting option for eye appeal. This will cover the roof adding a lot more protection and some food. Try yellow passionflower (Passiflora lutea) or trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens). Both do well in full to part sun, wet or dry soil.
After a couple of years the pile will slowly disintegrate turning that spot into a well-composted site for a flowerbed. Alternately, try a little hugelkultur. Dig a trough in your existing beds, throw in a couple of logs, and toss in a few branches. Water well, cover it up, and forget about it. The rotting wood holds moisture. The slow decaying process adds nutrients.
And, don’t forget to start that next brush pile.
References:
Brush Piles – A Safe Space for Wildlife
Wade Village 