An excellent and rustic way of both creating a sympathetic barrier and also disposing of large amounts of trimmed material from task days without leaving it laying in piles or chipping it.

Dead Hedging involves using cut branches, unwanted scrub and any other bushy material to create a 'dead' barrier. This technique is highly flexible and can be used anywhere unlike hedge laying. The dead hedge can be any height, width and length to suit the purpose it is required for.  Being above ground the dead wood does not rot down easily and extra material can be added and crushed down as necessary.

Either of two methods can be used. The first can use as much material as is available and the second makes a tight hedge with minimal material.

1. Deep Dead Hedge

Knock in suitable prepared stakes in two rows in a width suitable for the quantity of material available as the diagram below.

2. Woven Dead Hedge

Knock in a suitable single row of prepared stakes and 'weave' the material between them.

Using a spade or plank of wood helps in compressing freshly cut material. Ideally the thicker branches should be placed near the bottom of the hedge and also finish with thicker branches at the top to weigh the material down.

Transplanted brambles and other climbing plants can easily be planted and encouraged to grow over the dead hedge