Feeling Energetic? Build a Brush Pile.

Why build a brush pile? A brush pile will encourages diversity within your garden landscape; and provide shelter from the elements and predators, perch sites, and food resources for many different types of wildlife.

Here are some tips for creating a Brush Pile that you, your family and your local wildlife will enjoy.

1) Select something fairly substantial as the base for your pile. I’ve seen Christmas trees used in the past, but two or three short logs, or a couple of old fence posts, those limbs that came down in the last storm that passed through that you didn’t know what to do with! This foundation needs to support the woody vegetation you will stack on top. It should also allow the oxygen to flow through and prevent the brush pile from settling.

2) Once you have established your foundation, add larger branches criss-crossing as you build. This type of layering done loosely onto your base will create natural nooks and crannies to form. These naturally forming gaps will provide hideouts, protection and shelter for many mammals using the pile enabling escape from predators and the elements.

3) Continue to build upwards, finally completing with smaller woody vegetation.
 Your brush pile can be as large or small as you wish to build it to the needs of your landscape, remember the bigger and sturdier the pile, the more diversity you will attract to your garden.

As the material in brush piles decays, insects are attracted (and there are many here in Florida). Insect-eating animals will soon follow. The upper layers will be used as perch sites and nest sites by birds. As the abundance of smaller animals seeking insects or shelter in the pile increases, predators that feed on this smaller prey will be attracted thus your visitors could be very diverse including the potential for owls, hawks, or foxes to name but a few.

Sighting your brush pile fairly close to your bird feeder, will enable the birds to fly in and out while they dine if protection is needed.

So, this weekend, take a look around your yard for pruning and clipping opportunities and consider the inclusion within your garden of a brush pile. Not only will a little trimming improve the appearance of the yard, but it may also help a few birds and other wildlife in the pursuit of survival. Your children will also be able to view the Discovery Channel in your own back garden.