What is a wooden fence? If you think of wood as a building material that dates back to the medieval times of the world, you’d be right. But wood is also a thing today, and budget gardeners are turning to wooden fences to create barriers in their landscapes.
What exactly is a wattle fence? What do you need to make a wattle fence? Read on to learn everything you need to know to create a quirky woven wattle fence.
What is a wooden fence?
Wattling is an ancient craft in which young, green shoots are woven around vertical wooden beams or posts to form a wall or fence. It was used by European landowners hundreds of years ago to build houses, sheds and fences.
These days, trellis making is largely limited to creating crude fences and garden decorations including trellises and arbors. It is not only a gardening activity but also a fun hobby, and a great way to use up those pesky saplings and green fescues that tend to reappear each spring.
Wooden fence materials
Acacia hedges are a throwback to the past and fit the aesthetic of a cottage garden. And how much do they cost? It’s hard to believe when you look at some of the gorgeous acacia hedges out there, but acacia is practically free. That’s because acacia hedges are made from wooden stakes or posts and straight, thin, flexible branches. You cut these yourself from willows or other trees on your property.
If you have ever cut down a willow or similar tree, you will know firsthand how quickly these new shoots will appear on all sides of the stump. Other trees that have new shoots include maples, dogwoods, oaks, cherries, hemlocks, and forsythia. Any tree can have new shoots as long as they are straight and flexible.
How to make a wooden fence
Making a DIY wooden fence doesn’t require much more than time and attention. You’ll want to figure out your design before you begin. Then, gather your materials.
Get enough hardwood stakes or posts so that you can place them 18 inches (46 cm) apart. They should be thick – at least 4 inches (10 cm) – and twice as long as your fence is tall. The best woods for these posts are oak, walnut, bamboo, chestnut, or maple. If you are making your own, you will need a saw to cut the branches, an ax to sharpen the end of the stake into the ground, and a large garden hammer to drive the stakes into the ground.
Drive each stake into the ground at least 12 inches (30 cm). Typically, the bottom half of the stake will be driven into the ground.
Then trim enough shoots to gather for your project, making sure they are about ½ inch (1 cm) in diameter and at least 40 inches (101 cm) long. Why so long? You want each shoot to weave around several stakes.
Weave the straws under and over the stakes, then slide the weave down to compact. Use the thicker straws first, then weave the thinner straws into the gaps in the fence.
frequently asked Questions
How long will a wooden fence last?
Some wooden fences can last up to 10 years, but that lifespan is not guaranteed. It varies depending on the weather, how well it is constructed, and any preservation techniques used.
What type of stick is best for making a fence?
The best shoots for a wattle hedge are those that are soft, slender and fairly long. A number of different species will do well, with willow and hazel being the traditional ones.
