Living Fence – /ˈliviNG fens/ – noun

September 11th, 2019

Definition: A commonly-used agroforestry technology, generally composed of one to two rows of trees and shrubs densely planted around the perimeter of a field. The natural barrier of trees and shrubs protects the field from grazing animals and wind erosion. The species that make up a living fence can also produce tangible benefits such as food, fuelwood, fodder, and other raw materials. 

In the Forest Garden: Trees for the Future has developed a modification of living fences that is proving extremely effective and productive, called a green wall, which consists of three rows of trees and shrubs. 

Benefits of a living fence or green wall:

• Mark boundary lines between farms and to separate or segment fields used for distinct purposes.
• Protect and keep animals from intruding or straying.
• Protect Forest Gardens from animal damage or theft.
• Reduce erosion and wind damage.
• Eliminate the cost of building and maintaining dead fences.
• Produce useful products within border space that would otherwise be
  Unproductive.
• Mitigate damage from termites, carpenter ants and dry rot, which are a continuous headache in maintaining dead wooden fences and posts.