Brush

Wildlife garden writers often suggest adding a brush pile in a remote corner of the yard. A brush pile in a wooded area is one of the most valuable parts of a wildlife garden, they advise. In spring and summer, a brush pile provides a nesting spot for birds, amphibians, and small mammals, and in winter is a refuge for many creatures.

For several years, we piled our tree trimmings in a corner of our pie-shaped lot. Eventually, it formed a pile about 3 feet in height and 6 feet in diameter. Our next door neighbors have a 6 foot fence so we didn't hear any complaints.

In the fall, I decided to compost oak leaves on that spot, so I moved the brush pile about 10 feet farther back, under mature oaks, and young maples and hickories.

I concentrated when picking up each piece of wood, to avoid an encounter with a snake. I was startled by a sound. The neighbor who lives behind us stood at the edge of her yard, her eyes small and hard. "I've beeen watching for you," she hissed. "What are you doing?" I explained about the brush pile. "BULL!!" she said. "You are moving the pile there to antagonize me." My husband was nearby and came to speak to her, but in the end she moved on saying, "Why can't you have a yard like everyone else's."

I left my brush pile in place, although I am careful to keep it under three feet in height. I often hear scratching and scurrying in that woody area. Birds search for insects among the branches and chipmunks make a quick get-away into the brush. Squirrels and rabbits are invited make their homes in this small corner of our garden, just has humans have made their homes throughout the neighborhood.