Using these basic techniques, you can build a practical and attractive rustic fence. It can stand on its own to mark off a part of the property, or you can use it to disguise an existing chain-link fence.
- Cut as many long, straight branches, about 2 inches thick, as you need posts. Expect to use one branch every 6 feet or so for the length of the fence plus others for crossbars and diagonal pieces to stretch between the posts.
- Treat the bottoms of the posts with wood preservative and, when dry, set 12 to 18 inches deep in the ground and compact the earth around them.
- Attach four or five horizontal rows of 10-gauge wire between the posts, spaced evenly from the ground to the top of the posts. If you are hiding a chain-link fence, just use the fence as a base. With 14-gauge wire, lash crossbars to the tops of the posts. These form the top edge of the fence. Lash diagonal pieces between the posts to form a cross, then weave branches in and out of the wire rows in a pleasing pattern. Lash another post at the point where the diagonals cross, placing it in the ground if necessary to keep the fence sturdy.
- Finally, use sticks and trimmed branches up to .75 inch thick to fill in the spaces between the posts in an attractive arrangement. Weave the sticks and branches in and out of the wires, and secure them with 14-gauge wire where necessary.
The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc./GID
Use branches and sticks to create a unique and attractive rustic fence.
