Trees, shrubs and other plants can be great for nature – even once they’re dead. Deadwood is still full of nutrients and provides food for insects, shelter for animals and perfect growing conditions for many fungi. What’s more, you can use it to create your very own dead hedge.
A dead hedge is a wonderful addition to your garden, playground or other outdoor space. They mimic the practical benefits of a fence, while at the same time providing all the natural goodness of deadwood. So if you want to mark out a flower bed or separate unsightly bins from the rest of your garden, read on and find out how to make a dead hedge of your own.
What you will need:
- Dead twigs or branches
- Wooden stakes or large, straight branches (approx. 3-5cm in diameter)
- Wildflower seeds, climbers or other plants (optional)
- Mallet (optional)
How to build your dead hedge:
- Once you’ve gathered your dead materials, mark out where you are going to build your hedge. They are perfect for gardens or school grounds – just make sure you have permission to build a hedge in your chosen space.
- Once you’ve marked out where you’re going to build your hedge, insert the stakes into the ground along the length of your area. You may find it easier to use a mallet here. Think of these stakes as your fenceposts.
- Take your collected dead twigs or branches and weave them between the stakes, building on top of one another to create the ‘body’ of the hedge.
- (Optional) Plant wildflower seeds around your dead hedge or intertwine climbing plants such as clematis to brighten it up and make it even better for wildlife.
Once it’s done, you can sit back and enjoy your new habitat. If it’s big enough, you may even find birds such as blackbirds and wrens building their nests within.
You can keep adding to your dead hedge long after it’s ‘finished’. Whenever you’re pruning your trees or cutting back your bushes, just add the cuttings onto the hedge to make it even better for wildlife.
EXTRA: You can download the hedgerow spotter sheet below to help you identify some different hedgerow wildlife!
Share your dead hedges with us by using #DiscoverLearnPlay
