As the wind blows and trees fall, the dead hedge grows

When the wind blows as hard as it did late last week, I’m not surprised when a few trees or branches end up falling. Living in a wooded area formerly covered in ash trees, almost all of which are significantly diseased or already dead from the effects of the invasive emerald ash borer beetle, it’s a given that in strong winds, trees will fall.

And fall they did, so we found ourself cleaning up two small trees that had toppled into our neighbors’ yard. It was a quick job, and one that had an unlikely benefit — I had more material for my dead hedge.

The name conjures images of a bunch of crispy yews devoid of foliage, but dead hedges can be quite decorative. They are created with a series of tall stakes spaced a few feet apart that contain woody material laid horizontally and woven around stakes and into itself to create a solid hedge.

And they serve a number of purposes. First, they work as a low fence or short wall between neighbors to hide less attractive areas like a compost pile or to mark different areas of the yard.

Beyond that, they are an excellent way to get rid of woody trimmings that would otherwise be sent to the curb, burned or chopped up.

And lastly, they create excellent habitats for all kinds of wildlife, from insects that nest in the nooks and crannies to small mammals and birds.

My dead hedge is a mix of thin branches from fallen trees, prunings from trees and shrubs, the previous year’s hydrangea stems and other bits that would take ages to break down in a compost pile. Although it is not nearly as tidy as some, it should start to resemble a wall woven of sticks as materials are added and the pile is compressed. Located along our lot line adjacent to a wooded area, it fits in even though it lacks the neat habit of some.

Some gardeners also put green plant material in a dead hedge, which should make it break down sooner and even create planting opportunities. One gardener told me she throws nasturtium seeds in her dead hedge every year for a gorgeous green display.

Such organic structures are perhaps more commonly found in Europe, where professional hedge layers create massive barriers for livestock out of live hedge material that has been partially cut down. Over time these become impenetrable walls of both dead and live plant material.

Their neater, more socially acceptable cousins can do the same, and solve a lot of problems in the process.