Brush Piles
Few wildlife management practices can provide a
more important part of wildlife habitat for the amount of effort as brush piles.
In just a few minutes, a person may construct a place suitable for wildlife to
escape from severe weather and predators, as well as a place to rest or raise
their young. The main benefactor of brush piles is most often thought to be
rabbits. While it is true that rabbits will readily use them, brush piles are
also havens to box turtles, fence lizards, songbirds, small rodents and other
mammals as large as black bears.
The term "brush pile" is commonly
understood to be a pile of limbs arranged to permit entry of small wildlife to
the exclusion of larger animals that may prey on them. Brush piles are not
necessarily made of trees, limbs or brush. Scrap building lumber, wooden
pallets, rocks, concrete blocks, plastic pipe, clay tiles or old culverts may
also be used though some landowners prefer the "natural" appearance of
brush or field stones.
The species of wildlife that will use a brush
pile is determined by the type and/or size of material used in construction and
the arrangement of those materials. For example, a pile of bowling-ball sized
rocks would be a likely place for chipmunks or fence lizards, but the relatively
small spaces between the rocks would exclude larger animals, while the careful
placement of stones may provide a larger entrance and cavity.
Where should brush piles be
built?
The location of brush piles may be more a
matter of personal preference or convenience of the landowner than the needs of
wildlife. However, there are also some practical considerations to choosing a
site. Although the even distribution of brush piles throughout a property would
be most beneficial to wildlife, there are some places landowners may choose not
to build them. Since rabbits, skunks, groundhogs and other rodents will utilize
brush piles, it may not be a good idea to create them near a home where these
species may create problems for lawns, vegetable gardens or ornamental plants
and house foundations. Logically, a farmer would not want to build a brush pile
in the middle of a crop field either. Where, then, should they be built?
Construction of brush piles can easily be done
during the maintenance of woodland trails or while picking up tree limbs that
have fallen into fields. It is practical to pile the brush near where it is
being collected or cut, such as in the woods next to a woodland trail or just
inside the woodland edge next to a field. Most farmers would choose not to put
brush piles in fields to be used for agricultural purposes such as hay or row
crops, but they could be built in pastures without conflicting with livestock
production or field maintenance. If placed in pastures, brush piles should be
fenced* from livestock or, better still, constructed within a cover thicket*. If
not placed in fields, brush piles would greatly benefit wildlife if constructed
in the corners of fields, field borders* or buffers, streamside management
zones* and fencerows.
In native warm season grasslands, it is
unadvisable to create brush piles made of combustible materials such as trees,
limbs, brush, wooden fence posts or wooden pallets. This is because these
grasslands may someday be managed by prescribed burning* which would destroy the
brush pile you created for wildlife. There are, however, a few alternatives. A
brush pile built using wooden materials may be protected from prescribed burning
by surrounding it with a 10 feet wide strip of clover (see Legumes*) or by
mowing* around it just prior to the burn. Another alternative is to construct
brush piles in native grassland stands out of materials such as stones, concrete
blocks, clay tiles or construct in-ground dens. These type of structures can
withstand fire and decay, making them much more permanent than those made of
logs, limbs or brush.
What kind of brush pile should I
build?
Several of the commonly used types of
brush piles are described below:
1. Brush piles made of tree limbs
or brush
Construct by placing 4 or 5 large (6"
to 12" diameter) and fairly straight limbs or posts on the ground parallel
to one another with about 12" spaces between each. Criss-cross similar
sized and number of limbs on top. Smaller limbs should be added to the top. The
final product should be 15 to 20 feet in diameter and 3 or 4 feet high.
Build this type:
- in woodlands along woodland trails or the edges
of fields.
- in the center of cover thickets*
- in areas not maintained by prescribed burning*
2. Rock piles or other
non-combustible "brush piles"
Construct using rock, concrete blocks or clay
tiles. Create the first layer of stones or blocks leaving several hollow areas
inside and providing at least 3 exits 4 or 5 inches wide. Stack stones or blocks
as a second layer to cover the exits and protect the hollow areas below. A third
and fourth layer may be used to provide additional protection. The openings in
short sections of clay tiles may be used in the first layer as exits. If
desired, the stones may be neatly fitted and mortared to create an attractive,
long-lasting structure.
Build this type:
- in fields being maintained by prescribed
burning.
- where a "neat" appearance is desired
- where nearly permanent structures are desired.
- where stones are readily available.
3. In-ground dens
Though not really considered a brush pile,
in-ground den structures may be built by burying wooden boxes, concrete or
plastic septic field distribution boxes or even 5-gallon buckets and providing
at least two 4 or 5 inch drain pipe exits. Do not construct these in wet soils,
low-lying areas, or areas prone to flooding.
Build this type:
- in fields being maintained by prescribed
burning.
- where the appearance of an above-ground
structure is undesired.
- where long-lasting structures are desired
4. Windrows of trees
These structures are sometimes created during the
clearing of woodlands or logging operations. When working on sloping lands, pile
trees to create windrows at the bottom of the slope to reduce soil loss from
opening. Leave 10 feet wide openings or gaps in windrows every 50 yards. Do not
burn windrows as they provide valuable wildlife habitat.
Build this type:
- in areas where trees are being cleared using a
bulldozer.
5. Living brush piles
Cedar trees, 4 to 6 inches in diameter, may be
partially cut through the trunk or "hinge cut" in a manner that allows
the tops of the trees to rest on the ground while remaining connected to the
root system. If done correctly, the top of the cedar provides cover for small
wildlife. Cut several cedars to fall to a central point with the tops all
touching.
Build this type:
- in areas where 4 or 5 cedars grow closely
together.
- in areas that will not be prescribe burned.
How big should a brush pile be?
A good rule of thumb is that if the brush
pile does not provide shade, protection from rain or snow or if you can easily
see or reach the animal you are trying to protect, then the brush pile is too
small. Brush piles made of tree limbs should generally be 15 to 20 feet in
diameter and 3 to 5 feet high. If made of more durable and protective material
such as stones, the structure may be as small as 4 or 5 feet in diameter.
Maintenance
Brush piles made of trees, limbs or other
wooden materials will not last forever. Over time they will rot and collapse. It
is not worthwhile to attempt to reconstruct another brush pile at the original
location. It is much better to build another one nearby and before the first one
has lost its usefulness. Depending on the size and type of material used, a
brush pile may remain functional for 10 years or more. Well-made rock piles
would certainly last much longer. Plan ahead and keep a good number of brush
piles available for wildlife at all times.
Conclusion
Cover is the portion of habitat most
crucial for many Kentucky wildlife species, and brush piles create suitable
cover for many kinds of wild animals. Therefore, there is no such thing as too
many brush piles. The only limiting factor is your desire to build them. Be
creative when choosing how, where and from what materials you make this
important component of good wildlife habitat. Your main concerns should be that
you like the location and appearance of it and that it provides the necessary
habitat for wildlife.
Figure 1. Construction of brush
piles showing base construction methods
(A-C: dotted lines indicate
additional brush)
Log
base
C.
Log/boulder combination base w/brush
Related Habitat How-To references:
