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BANG FOR THE BITE
You do have to wait for the fence to grow in, and it might require some tending to maintain, but they've got the look, last for decades, and are eco-friendlier too.
COCKTAIL FACT
Early U.S. settlers claimed land just by fencing it in.
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home › tip library › Natural Fences
Wanna cross the white picket line?
The Bite
Go on, be a scab. Hedge the white picket fence and go for a living one - a natural wall for privacy around your yard made from live shrubs, trees, or bamboo - and form a union with wildlife and CO2 absorbers alike.The Benefits
- One-of-a-kind looks. Your living fence is bound to be more unique than some of the wrought-iron snoozefests in your neighborhood. And deciduous tree fences change colors with the seasons.
- Letting in the wildlife. Plants attract birds and beneficial insects such as butterflies. Chain-link? Not so much.
- More CO2-eaters. In case you missed the memo, dead-wood fences don't absorb pollutants the way live ones do.
- Privacy. You can still walk around naked in your backyard.
Personally Speaking
Jenifer has a little living bamboo fence on her desk in the SF office, so it's harder for Toshio to make faces at her.Wanna Try?
- Visit your Local Nursery - ask about native plants that would make good barriers for your yard.
- Bamboo Fencer - its FAQ has info on live- and cut-bamboo barriers. Be careful, though - some types of bamboo can take over a yard, so be sure to consult an expert to choose the right varietal for your area.
- Mother Earth News - primer on living fences with shrub and tree suggestions.
Apr 10,2008
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All editorial suggestions in this tip are the result of testing and a preference for the tip topic. No advertiser has paid to have its company referenced in the tip. For more information, please read our Editorial Policy.
The Immortal Grass
There are more than a few reasons why bamboo is great, but be careful before planting a shoot out back. You could unwittingly have just sold your yard to the bamboo devil, since it spreads like wildfire and just will not die. Consider trenches around the roots to keep them from getting out of control. The stalks we have in the office here came from an Ikea warehouse (which had no natural light, mind you) and even after a few long weeks where we didn't water them, they refused to succumb.
-Toshio...off to water the plants...
Biter Comments...
Living fences are a terrific idea. Not only are they more enviro-friendly, they're also a whole heck of a lot more attractive than chain-link, stockade, vinyl, or any other kind of man-made fencing. But, if deer frequent your property, keep well stocked with deer repellent, otherwise these beautiful creatures will turn your carefully-tended shrubbery into their "all-you-can-eat" buffet.
I have a living hedge and love the privacy, but it's very difficult to find someone to keep it neatly trimmed.
Living fences are great, but if you love the environment, you should be careful to plant native species of plants. They don't require irrigation after they are established and they are appropriate to the local wildlife. There are lots of sources for finding what species are native to your area. The local extension agent is a great place to start -- look up your State Government website, or you local watershed organization.
It's so funny that this was your tip today. I had just been looking at the tall bushes that border the yard across the street, which is the only shield between me and the TENT they put up in their front yard, where they have loud parties during the spring and summer months. I'm waiting for someone to buy their house (it's been for sale for almost a year)- someone who will take down the tent and have their parties indoors. I hear their beer bottles clinking as they bag them for the trash - NOT for recycling - and it drives me a little bonkers. Guess I'm glad they at least bag them, and don't leave them on the lawn...
I'm brand new to your website. It is the most refreshing format and content I've seen in a long time. Hooray to ideal bite and staff! You've got a loyal follower now who will pass along the kool aid every time. Wayne in Denver!
BAMBOO is terribly invasive and overtakes most of the native plants that would otherwise grow there and provide food, safety & habitats for our wildlife. Search for your Area/State's "Native Plants". A good source that lists native plants by drought tolerance, butterflies, wet, etc. (for your area)is "The(your State) Native Plant Society".
In addition to Toshio's comment, Bamboo can not only take over your yard (and I've heard of cases where an excavator is required to get out all the root system) but it can also spread to neighbouring parks or wild lands where it can out-compete native plants and reduce habitat value for wildlife. It's considered an invasive species (in British Columbia anyway) and many invasive species started off as ornamentals brought from other countries for people's yards. It's a much more responsible idea to plant a native shrub fence - there are lots of beautiful native shrubs to choose from, many of which are also great for attracting birds.
re: "considered an invasive species in Brtitish Columbia" - also one of the top most invasive species in FLORIDA. As true (unfortunately) with most invasive plants, they are hardy (too hardy) and beautiful and easy to grow (obviously, since invasives will take over your yard and your neighbor's yard too). BTW: Local Nurseries are NOT the ones to ask for advice unless it is a native-plant nursery. Local Nurseries sell whatever brings in the most $$ for them.
Bamboo is very invasive, however there are a few varieties of clumbing bamboos that do not spread in the typical fashion. They are usually shorter and a bit less dense, than the "running" bamboos. This is usually less desireable if someone is trying to create a more dense living fence. But they still look nice and work well as a living screen, and won't take over a yard.
I can't even believe Ideal Bite would encourage people to plant bamboo (or any other invasive exotic species for that matter) as a way to 'improve' your yard. Why not also encourage people to spray DDT to control mosquitoes and import poisonous cane toads to control garden pests? Isn't this supposed to be a blog dedicated to environmental improvement? Invasive species are destroying biodiversity and one of the largest causes of extinction. Get with it! Use native species for your live fence.
I agree with Ann, Jarrod and Lora! Bamboo is a terribly invasive non-native plant. I had to re-read the tip to make sure I wasn't misreading it, that's how ridiculous it is! It really makes me doubt the amount of thought and research that go into the Ideal Bite tips.
Yes Bamboo is very invasive, but like many other things you can control it.
You may want to research how to plant bamboo before you buy. By planting the shoots/plants in a container, I believe metal, will make it much easier to contain. This way while you are waiting for your more native fence to grow you can enjoy the privacy of the bamboo and easily remove it when ready.http://www.walterreeves.com/landscaping/article.phtml?cat=10&id=448
While we are on the subject of invasive plants kutzu is pretty fast growing but a very poor choice.http://www.yahoolavista.com/kudzu/
PHOTO ALBUMS
Posted by: Casey | April 10, 2008 at 07:24 AM