Posted by Duncan Page on Mon, Oct 26, 2009
Living fencing can be an alternative to conventional wire, wood, vinyl and masonry fences. As noted in David Beaulieu's excellent article "Living Walls as Privacy Fences", living fencing has certain advantages:
- lower cost
- more attractive
- fruit production
- reduces traffic noise
- seasonal foliage variation
- provides a habitat for birds and small animals
- sometimes less restricted by zoning regulations
- can be pruned and sculpted into different shapes
Living fences make excellent privacy screens around your property. Planting a thicket of small trees or shrubs creates an effective barrier. Flowering bushes, deciduous and evergreen shrubs can be planted. The type of plants used will determine the height, width and appearance of the fence. How they are planted will determine the visual and physical tightness of the barrier. If necessary, a conventional fence can also be used to keep pets and children in the yard. A living fence can also be used around smaller areas in the yard such as patios.
Living snow fences can also be a great alternative to plastic or wood snow fencing. The design will determine downwind snow distribution. A dense multiple row living snow fence will pile snow in a restricted area, reducing the need to plow highways and driveways. To make windbreak for the uniform distribution of snow across a field, a single row of tall deciduous trees can be spaced 15 to 20 feet apart. Snow will be distributed to a distance of 10 to 15 times the height of the trees.
The following articles about living snow fences are very informative:
Have you ever considered planting a living fence?
Would living snow fencing be a solution that would work for you?
Posted by Duncan Page on Wed, Oct 21, 2009
It is common knowledge that deer have become a problem which seems to intensify every year. As their natural habitat has decreased in area, deer have been forced into greater and closer contact with humans. Deer have become not only a nuisance but also, in some situations, a threat to human life.
- Hungry deer invade gardens and areas with expensive plantings.
- The impact on agriculture - farms and orchards - is extensive and expensive.
- The USDA estimates that total deer damage from auto collisions and crop and timber losses
reaches at least $1 billion a year
- Deer on the roads cause many accidents, often fatal to both deer and people.
- There are 1.5 million car accidents with deer each year, resulting in human fatalities, and personal injuries.
- When deer are present there is an increased risk to humans of Lyme disease spread by ticks.
- Deer overpopulation reduces the quality of habitat. The resulting lack of food can lead to unhealthy diseased deer.
There is no easy answer to the problem. Some of the possible means of control are:
- Exclusion
- Deer and wildlife fence barriers
- Individual trees and plants protection
- Plants deer dislike
- Deterrents
- Devices to scare deer with sound or visual stimuli
- Dogs
- Repellents using odors deer dislike
- Population management
- Hunting
- Culling - thinning out weak unhealthy animals
- Fertility control
What do you think is the best solution for your particular deer problem?
Is there one solution that can address every situation?
Is inaction the best action?
Download the following PDF that provides more detailed information of this topic:
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services fact sheet
Another interesting article from NCAT: Deer Control Options
Posted by Duncan Page on Wed, Oct 14, 2009
Watch this welding machine make welded wire mesh and fence.
Posted by Frank Langone on Mon, Oct 12, 2009
Welded wire meshes and fences
- What are they?
- As the name implies, they are made from wires that have been welded into a mesh.
- In most cases, the same gauge of wire is used throughout the roll.
- Welded joints are rigid and have little flexibility.
- Many welded products with larger openings are used as fencing.
- Mesh sizes can range from 1/2"x1/2" up to 6"x6".
- Meshes with smaller openings are usually made with lighter gauge wires.
- These are mostly used as screening.
- Some specifications of welded meshes are vinyl coated.
- What can they be used for?
- Welded fencing is ideal to use on flat terrain where little flexibility is necessary.
- Some examples of uses:
- Swimming pool fences
- Cages for animals
- Garden fences
- Dog kennels
- Partition dividers
- Railing safety panel inserts
Woven wire meshes and fences
- What are they?
- Fences made by weaving the wires into a mesh.
- Different gauge wires are sometimes used in the same roll.
- Woven joints are flexible yet very strong.
- There are a wide variety of mesh size openings available.
- Hexagonal netting (chicken wire), field and farm fence, deer and wildlife fence, chain link and ornamental fence are some examples.
- What can they be used for?
- Woven wire fences are ideal to use in situations where the ground is uneven.
- The inherent flexibility allows the fence to adjust more easily to grade changes.
- Some examples of uses:
- Garden fences
- Horse paddocks
- Boundary fence
- Orchard fence
- Farm fence
Keep these differences in mind when you are planning to install a fence. Which type do you want to use?
Posted by Duncan Page on Wed, Oct 07, 2009
Watch this video and learn how to install vinyl coated welded wire garden fence. Keep rabbits and other looters from feasting on your plants.
Posted by Duncan Page on Mon, Oct 05, 2009
There is no question that deer are becoming an increasing threat to the garden, trees and shrubbery on your property. The need for food and a steady decrease in wild habitat force deer into residential and commercial areas. What types of deer fence can be used for deer exclusion?
Your choice will be determined by the following factors:
- local codes and ordinances - be sure to check for height and material restrictions
- aesthetic considerations - determine what fits best with your property, height, visibility, design, appearance
- expense considerations - the cost of the fence vs value of your plantings
- effectiveness of the fence - strength, longevity, need for repair
- extent of protection - entire property or individual plantings
Types of deer fence products available:
- wood & vinyl - solid, slatted (use close spacing)
- metal - welded, woven, galvanized, vinyl coated, single strand electric, wire mesh
- plastic - extruded mesh
Whichever deer fence you choose, make sure that your fence is well braced to resist pushing. Even though deer can jump over eight feet, your fence will not have to be that high. You should place the deer fence at least 12" from the plants you want to protect.
Good luck on your project!