In this podcast episode, I discuss creating privacy or a barrier by building living fences made from trees, hedges, and fedges (food hedges).
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Have you ever thought about adding a living fence to your homestead? It’s not just about looking pretty—there are tons of benefits! Whether you want privacy, security, or just a way to separate areas of your property, living fences made from trees, bushes, and even veggies can do the job. Let’s dive into how they work, what makes them great, and a few things to think about before getting started!
What Is a Living Fence?
A living fence is exactly what it sounds like: a barrier made of plants that serves the same purpose as a regular fence. These fences can be made from trees, shrubs, or even certain vegetables. Living fences don’t just provide privacy—they can also offer food, protect from wind, and even attract beneficial insects. How cool is that?
The Benefits of Building Living Fences
There are so many reasons to build a living fence instead of putting up a wooden or metal one. Here are a few of the biggest perks:
1. Privacy and Beauty
Living fences create a natural barrier that can be just as private as a regular fence. Plus, they look beautiful, especially when made with flowering bushes or fruit-bearing trees.
2. Defining Borders
Whether you want to separate your garden from your orchard or create boundaries around your yard, living fences work great for marking property lines.
3. Habitat for Wildlife
Living fences can attract birds, pollinators, and other beneficial critters. Birds, for example, help keep pesky insects in check.
4. Wind Protection
Strategically placed trees or bushes can act as a windbreak, protecting your home and garden from strong winds.
5. Food, Medicine, and Fodder
Certain living fences can produce fruit, nuts, and medicinal plants, or even fodder for your animals. It’s like having a mini food forest in your backyard!
The Downsides to Consider
Like anything, living fences come with a few downsides. While they’re awesome in many ways, here are a few things to think about before you plant:
1. Time
A living fence doesn’t provide instant privacy. Trees and bushes take time to grow, so it could be a few years before your fence is fully established.
2. Maintenance
You’ll need to prune and care for your living fence regularly. It can be more work than a standard fence, especially in the early years.
3. Winter Weakness
Some living fences lose their leaves in the winter, making them less effective at providing privacy. If this is a concern, consider evergreen trees or bushes that stay full year-round.
Choosing the Right Plants for Your Living Fence
The type of plants you choose depends on what you want your fence to do. Do you want security? Privacy? Or maybe a little of both? Here are some ideas:
Trees for Security
Locust and Hawthorn trees are fantastic if you need a secure fence. These thorny trees grow thick and fast, creating a barrier that’s tough to get through.
Trees for Food
Fruit trees can make a gorgeous living fence while providing a bounty of food. You can even train them to grow along a fence in a technique called espalier, which looks amazing and is functional!
Trees for Weaving
Willow trees are great for weaving into a thick, impenetrable fence. These fast-growing trees can be braided together when young, creating a living wall that’s both strong and beautiful.
Bushes for Privacy and Beauty
If you’re more into bushes than trees, there are plenty of options:
Common Bushes for Hedges
Boxwood and Juniper are both popular choices for hedges. They grow thick and tall, providing a solid barrier. They also require a little less maintenance once established.
Fruiting Bushes for a “Food Hedge”
Why not make your living fence productive? Elderberry, blackberry, raspberry, and blueberry bushes all make great options for a living fence that can also provide delicious fruits. Plus, they’re gorgeous when in bloom!
Veggies in Your Fence? Why Not!
You can even use tall-growing vegetables to create a living fence. Asparagus or Jerusalem Artichoke are great example. When it’s fully grown, asparagus forms tall, ferny plants that can be planted in rows to create a natural barrier.
Getting Started with Your Living Fence
Ready to start your own living fence? Here’s a simple guide to get you going:
- Plan Your Fence
Decide where you want your living fence and what purpose you want it to serve. Do you need privacy, security, or just a pretty divider? - Choose Your Plants
Based on your goals and growing zone, pick trees, bushes, or veggies that will thrive in your area. Make sure to consider how much sun and water they’ll need. - Prepare the Soil
Living fences need healthy soil to grow well. Make sure the area is prepped and ready before planting. - Plant and Protect
Once your plants are in the ground, protect them! In the early years, they might need help staying safe from animals like deer or rabbits.
When To Chose a Privacy Fence (Sometimes It’s Just Faster)
As much as I love living fences, there are times when they’re not the best option. For example, we recently decided to put up a privacy fence on one side of our yard. While a living fence would be beautiful, it takes time to grow. We needed an instant barrier for privacy, so a traditional fence made more sense for us.
Final Thoughts: Living Fences Are a Long-Term Win
While living fences take time to establish, they’re worth it for the long-term benefits. They’re natural, beautiful, and can serve multiple functions on your homestead. Whether you’re growing food, keeping out the wind, or adding privacy, living fences are a great option to consider!
Got ideas or pictures of your own living fence? I’d love to hear about them! Feel free to share in the comments or drop me an email.
