What Maine trees and plants are the best to use when making wattle fences?
Question:
I am interested in making Wattle fencing/hurdles around my backyard and am hoping for any insight as to what trees/plants from Maine would be best to use. I have read that in England they use Hazel and Willow and am wondering what would be the closest to those that exist naturally here. It is intended as a substitute for panel fencing and not just lining a garden bed or something small like that. I wasn’t sure if our winters were too harsh for this or if frost heaves would be too much for such a structure. Any insight for materials to use or resources for making Wattle fencing in Maine would be wonderful! Thank you for any help you can provide.
Answer:
Lynne M. Holland, Community Education Assistant, Androscoggin-Sagadahoc Counties
I checked in with one of our Community Education Assistants and this is what she was able to share:
- The posts should be a sturdy wood, preferably rot-resistant species, like black locust or cedar.
- The woven withies are the fun part. Use alder, hazel, maple, or birch. The classic one is willow.
- Water sprouts pruned from pear & apple trees are excellent.
- Harvest the saplings and branches in late winter and spring before the leaves emerge. As summer wood is much less flexible.
- The withies have to be long enough to weave in and out between at least three posts. Then they’re pushed down. Stagger the start areas.
Coastal Maine Botanical garden has a number of areas with wattle fencing, living fences and tunnels. It’s also very common in Japan.
Here is a good write up on The Resilience Hub website. There are a lot of books available as well.
I would also stress that willow, though not native, is very hardy and a fast growing option for wattle fences.