Have you ever heard of the so-called deadwood hedge? Maybe not, but you've probably seen them before. The type of fence made from cut twigs and branches is a popular oneAlternative to the living hedgeand brings with it a number of advantages. But anyone who imagines a boring and dreary pile of wood is wrong. In reality, it is a system in which numerous animals and insects feel comfortable. So if you want a garden that is also a real paradise for other living creatures, you can achieve this wonderfully with the Benje hedge, as the deadwood hedge is also called. We summarize the most important things you should know if you want to create a Benje hedge - what permits are required for the natural fence made of branches, how can you build the deadwood hedge and can it actually be planted so that it looks more lively? We explain!
Aside from the fact that the Benje hedge serves as a fence, it also has other advantages. You can use clippings that you previously had to dispose of in a special way by creating a Benje hedge in a small garden (in a large garden the effort would perhaps be too great or the material would not be sufficient). The Benje hedge is very useful as a privacy screen, but alsofor raised beds, very practical for delimiting the vegetable beds and even for storing compost.
When you create a Benje hedge, you also create an ecosystem as well as a convenient source of nutrients because while the materials used decompose naturally, you also add valuable nutrients to the soil. Properties located on busy roads also receive a natural filter that protects against exhaust gasesprotects from the noise. And you get all of this at low cost and without much maintenance!
Building a Benje hedge – What you should know
Do you need a building permit if you want to create a Benje hedge?
You may need a permit to build a Benje hedge. Depending on how big you want your hedge to be, you may also need to maintain a certain distance from your neighbors. To be on the safe side, contact the relevant authority in advance. You can usually be informed over the phone whether and in which cases you need a building permit for the Benjes hedge.
In principle, you can decide for yourself what height you want the Benje hedge to be - depending on what you want it to be and how much space you have available. If you want to create a Benje hedge and determine the width and height, you can use the usual dimensions that we mention below.
Build your own deadwood fence - this is how it's done
The best time to clear out dead wood in the gardento build a fence, is the cold season, i.e. the period between October and March. But how do you build a Benje hedge? You can buy dead wood or collect it from your garden. To build the hedge, you will also need stakes or posts that are fixed into the ground in two rows at any distance from each other (depending on how wide the hedge should be). Then you just have to fill the Benje hedge.
But what goes into the Benje hedge? Branches and twigs can bewith other garden wastecombine. Leftover food is taboo when creating a Benje hedge, as it could attract unwanted animals such as rats. For example, grass clippings are also very popular as filling material, which turns the Benje hedge into a compost heap. The construction of a Benje hedge with instructions summarized:
Benjeshecke – construction instructions:
- Drive the stakes for the Benje hedge into the ground at equal intervals and in two rows and parallel to each other. Make sure they are approximately the same height. If necessary, you can trim it at the end with a saw. An example of good measurements:
– Posts for Benje hedges between 50 and 75 cm apart
– Height from 1 to 1.5 meters
– Width of 50 cm - Now loosely layer filling material between the rows of posts. And what is allowed in when you create a Benje hedge? Garden waste such as branches and twigs of different thicknesses, tree and shrub cuttings, dead plants such as grasses and perennials are suitableor grass clippings(Avoid coniferous trees as they result in acidic soil). Then compact the materials by stepping on them and thereby pressing them down.
Danger: Once the deadwood hedge is finished, do not enter it again, otherwise you could injure animals living in it. - You can now shape the hedge by trimming protruding twigs and branches with secateurs. You can weave in flexible branches and also incorporate the stakes to attach the Benje hedge and make it even more stable.
Maintain the deadwood hedge properly
- Refill with fresh green waste regularly. You can fill gaps with soil and leaves and guarantee a stable hedge.
- Shrubs that establish themselves undesirably should be cut back or removed completely.
- Replace posts that become rotten over time.
- Raspberry and blackberry vines can be wrapped around the posts for added stability.
You can plant the deadwood hedge to achieve the formation of the mentioned ecosystem more quickly (otherwise this can take up to 100 years). If you would like to plant the Benje hedge and add natural greenery in this way, you can choose the following plants for your hedge made from branches:
- Chokeberries
- Clematis
- Rock pears
- Nasturtiums
- Knöterich
- Kornelkirschen
- Sandorn
- sloes
- Black elderberry
- Wicken
- Zaunwinde
The Benje hedge and its disadvantages
There are a few disadvantages you should consider if you want to create a Benje hedge. Even if you only create a small Benje hedge, you can assume that it will take at least 50 years for the deadwood corner to resemble a real, living hedge. If you want to get a green hedge quickly, it's better to use itto the classic hedge plants.
In addition, many of the trees used are stubborn and sprout new ones. These then dominate over other plants in and on the Benje hedges, so that the desired biodiversity probably cannot be created. Other rather undesirable plants such as nettles also feel very comfortable in this environment and can dominate.
