| A brash deadwall (sometimes called a dead hedge or brash fence) is essentially a living wildlife feature made from the offcuts, trimmings, and “brash” (small branches, bramble and twigs) left over from pruning or woodland management. It’s stacked between stakes to form a natural barrier or boundary that slowly decomposes while providing food and shelter for wildlife. |
| Here’s how to build one, step by step: |
| Choose Your Site & Purpose Pick the line where you want the deadwall to run. It can mark a boundary, protect young plants from wind, or simply create a wildlife corridor. Avoid placing it directly where it will shade delicate plants unless that’s your goal. |
| Gather Materials Brash – a mix of twiggy prunings, hedge trimmings, small branches, and other organic wastes. Upright stakes – untreated hardwood posts or sturdy hazel/willow poles work well. Optional: a few logs or heavier branches for the base layer to make it more stable. |
| Install the Stakes Drive stakes into the ground in two parallel rows, about 40–60cm apart. Leave 1–1.5m between each pair along the length of the wall. Ensure they’re tall enough so the brash pile can be 1–1.2m high without spilling over. |
| Lay the Base Start with chunky branches at the bottom — this gives airflow and stability. If you want extra sturdy, you can weave some thicker branches between the stakes as a “starter weave.” |
| Pack in the Brash Fill the space between the two rows of stakes with your twiggy material, layering it horizontally. Alternate fine material with coarser material so it knits together and doesn’t slump too quickly. Press it lightly with your hands or feet as you go, but don’t crush it too tightly — gaps are good for wildlife. |
| Build in Layers Over Time You can build it all at once or keep topping it up as you generate more prunings. As the lower layers decompose and settle, add new brash. |
| Wildlife Considerations Leave small cavities for birds, hedgehogs, insects, and amphibians. Avoid moving the brush in spring and summer if birds nest inside. If you use thorny trimmings (hawthorn, rose, bramble), they add extra protection for nesting. |
| Maintenance Dead walls are self-renewing if you keep topping them up with fresh material. Every 2–3 years, you may want to rebuild the stakes if they start rotting. |
| Extra tip: A curving or meandering deadwall is more wind-resistant, natural-looking, and can fit neatly around trees or features. |
Earthly Comforts 