Living Fences: A Sustainable Solution for Homesteads
Introduction to Living Fences
Living fences, also known as green fences or biofences, are barriers created from living plants, such as trees, shrubs, or vines, strategically planted to form a natural boundary. On our homestead in central New York, we’ve embraced living fences as a cornerstone of our farmscaping practices, integrating them alongside hedgerows to enhance our land’s functionality and beauty. These living structures serve multiple purposes: they act as windbreaks, provide shade, offer wildlife habitat, ensure privacy, and even contribute to soil health. In this article, we’ll explore the history of living fences, compare them with farmscaping and hedgerows, highlight their functions, and address a viewer’s question about creating a living fence to contain livestock like Dexter cows, bulls, and newborn lambs.
The History of Living Fences
Living fences have deep roots in agricultural history, dating back thousands of years across cultures worldwide. In medieval Europe, farmers used tightly woven hedges of hawthorn, blackthorn, or hazel to enclose fields and protect crops from grazing animals. These “hedgerows” were meticulously maintained, often coppiced or pleached (interwoven) to create dense, impenetrable barriers. In North America, early settlers adopted similar techniques, using native species like osage orange (Maclura pomifera), known for its thorny, durable branches, to fence livestock in the absence of abundant stone or timber. In tropical regions, living fences made from species like gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) or leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) provided both fencing and fodder.
The practice waned with the advent of industrial fencing materials like barbed wire and chain-link in the 19th and 20th centuries, which were cheaper and quicker to install. However, the resurgence of sustainable agriculture has brought living fences back into focus. Modern homesteaders and farmers value them for their ecological benefits, low maintenance, and alignment with permaculture principles.
Living Fences vs. Farmscaping vs. Hedgerows
While living fences, farmscaping, and hedgerows share similarities, they serve distinct yet complementary roles on a homestead.
Living Fences: These are deliberately planted rows of trees, shrubs, or vines designed to form a functional barrier. On our farm, we use species like black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), curly willow (Salix matsudana), and thornless honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos inermis) to create living fences along our western property line. These fences provide wind protection, shade from the afternoon sun, and privacy. For example, our black locust fence doubles as a windbreak, reducing wind erosion and shielding crops, while our curly willow fence incorporates comfrey (Symphytum officinale), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), fig trees (Ficus carica), and elderberry (Sambucus nigra) for added ecological benefits.
Farmscaping: This broader practice involves designing agricultural landscapes to support biodiversity, pest control, and ecosystem health. Farmscaping includes living fences and hedgerows but also encompasses pollinator strips, cover crops, and companion planting. On our homestead, farmscaping integrates living fences with diverse plantings like blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) and highbush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum) to attract pollinators and provide edible yields, enhancing the overall resilience of our farm.
Hedgerows: These are linear plantings of mixed trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, often less structured than living fences. Hedgerows focus on ecological diversity, providing habitat for wildlife, improving soil health, and preventing erosion. Our hedgerows, which include oak (Quercus spp.) and maple (Acer spp.), create corridors for birds and beneficial insects while stabilizing soil along slopes. Unlike living fences, hedgerows prioritize ecological connectivity over strict boundary functions.
In summary, living fences are more utilitarian, designed for specific purposes like livestock containment or privacy. Hedgerows emphasize biodiversity and habitat, while farmscaping encompasses both, integrating them into a holistic land management strategy.
Functions of Living Fences, Farmscaping, and Hedgerows
Each of these elements contributes uniquely to a homestead’s ecosystem:
Living Fences:
Boundary and Containment: They mark property lines and contain livestock. Thorny or dense species like black locusts deter animals from crossing.
Windbreaks: Tall trees like black locust or curly willow reduce wind speed, protecting crops and reducing soil erosion.
Privacy and Aesthetics: Dense plantings provide seclusion and enhance the homestead’s visual appeal.
Shade and Microclimate Regulation: Trees like oak or maple offer shade, cooling the environment for plants, animals, and humans.
Resource Production: Species like elderberry, blackcurrant, or fig yield edible fruits, while comfrey and lemon balm provide medicinal or soil-building benefits.
Farmscaping:
Pest Management: Diverse plantings attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings, reducing pest populations naturally.
Pollinator Support: Flowering plants like blackcurrant and highbush cranberry draw bees and butterflies, boosting crop pollination.
Soil Health: Nitrogen-fixing plants like honey locust or deep-rooted comfrey improve soil fertility.
Ecosystem Resilience: Diverse plantings create a robust ecosystem that adapts to environmental changes.
Hedgerows:
Wildlife Habitat: Mixed plantings provide food and shelter for birds, small mammals, and insects.
Erosion Control: Root systems stabilize soil on slopes or near water bodies.
Biodiversity: Hedgerows support a wide range of species, fostering ecological balance.
Carbon Sequestration: Trees and shrubs store carbon, contributing to climate change mitigation.
On our central New York homestead, these elements work together. Our black locust living fence shields crops from harsh western winds, while our curly willow fence, interwoven with elderberry and comfrey, supports wildlife and provides herbal resources. Our hedgerows, with their mix of oak and maple, create a haven for birds that control pests, and our farmscaping approach ties it all together, ensuring a thriving, sustainable ecosystem.
Choosing a Living Fence to Contain Dexter Cows, Bulls, and Newborn Lambs
A viewer of our YouTube channel asked: What should I plant to create a living fence that will stop animals like adult Dexter cows, bulls, and newborn lambs from crossing?
To contain livestock like Dexter cows (a small breed, typically 3-4 feet tall at the shoulder), bulls, and delicate newborn lambs, a living fence must be dense, durable, and tall enough to deter crossing while being safe for young animals. Here’s a recommended approach:
Primary Species: Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) is an excellent choice for livestock containment. Its thorny branches form a nearly impenetrable barrier, deterring even determined animals like bulls. Plant osage orange trees 2-3 feet apart in a single or double row for density. Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is another option, as its thorns and sturdy growth discourage crossing, though it’s less dense than osage orange.
Complementary Shrubs: To fill gaps and create a lower barrier for newborn lambs, incorporate dense, thorny shrubs like blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) or hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). These grow to 6-10 feet, forming a thick understory that prevents lambs from slipping through. Space shrubs 1-2 feet apart, staggering them between trees for a solid wall.
Height and Structure: Ensure the fence reaches at least 5 feet tall to deter Dexter cows and bulls, which are unlikely to jump but may push against weaker barriers. Osage orange and black locusts can grow well beyond this height, while hawthorn or blackthorn fills the lower levels.
Safety Considerations: Avoid toxic plants like yew (Taxus spp.) or cherry (Prunus spp.) that could harm livestock if nibbled. Osage orange fruit is unpalatable to cows and lambs, making it safe, while black locust leaves are generally avoided by grazing animals.
Maintenance: Plant in early spring for optimal root establishment. Prune annually to maintain density and remove any gaps. For faster establishment, consider weaving branches (pleaching) in the first few years to create a tighter barrier.
Additional Tips: For extra reinforcement, combine the living fence with a temporary wire fence until the plants mature (3-5 years). This hybrid approach ensures immediate containment while the living fence grows. In central New York’s climate, these species are hardy and well-suited to the region’s cold winters and variable soils.
This combination of osage orange, black locust, and thorny shrubs creates a robust, livestock-proof living fence that balances containment with ecological benefits like wildlife habitat and wind protection.
Conclusion
Living fences, farmscaping, and hedgerows are powerful tools for sustainable homesteading. On our central New York farm, we’ve seen firsthand how black locusts, curly willow, and diverse plantings like elderberry and comfrey transform our landscape. These practices connect us to centuries-old traditions while addressing modern needs for sustainability and resilience. Whether you’re looking to contain Dexter cows, provide wildlife habitat, or enhance your farm’s beauty, living fences offer a versatile, eco-friendly solution. Start small, choose species suited to your climate, and watch your homestead thrive.
