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Brush Piles

A brush pile is a mound of woody vegetative material (e.g., logs and branches) stacked up about 1.5 m (5 ft) tall that provides temporary or long-term cover and shelter for birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and invertebrates.

While there are few scientific studies proving their value, there are a lot of reported observations of birds and animals taking shelter in brush piles to escape potential predators (including humans). Small birds often take cover in thick branches, but if the vegetation is unavailable, they will use a brush pile.

The UTRCA has found that when brush piles are placed in prairie plots, they become the primary hub for wildlife during every season. They are important for foraging, nesting, birthing, thermoregulation and cover for countless wildlife species.

Where to Install Brush Piles

Brush piles can be useful in large gardens, meadows, new tree planting sites, and forests with sparse cover – anywhere that safe shelter for birds and mammals is lacking. They can even be placed in small urban yards to provide shelter for local wildlife. They should be placed away from standing dead trees where raptors often sit looking for prey.

How to Build a Brush Pile

Brush piles are often raised off the ground to slow down decomposition of the woody material above and to provide enough space for small mammals to enter. Logs or rocks are used to form this foundation.

Materials

• tree branches and logs from pruning projects or tree removals
• discarded Christmas trees
• untreated old fence posts or untreated wooden pallets
• medium and/or large sized rocks (if logs are unavailable)

Note: Never remove rotting wood from a forest floor as it is already providing a home for salamanders, insects and mushrooms!

The log foundation

1. On the ground, lay four straight small logs or large branches, roughly the same length (about 1.5 – 3.0 m long), parallel to each other, about 15 – 30 cm apart.
2. Lay a second layer of logs on top, perpendicular to the first layer (i.e., waffle style) creating a mini platform.
3. Loosely place gnarly branches on top to create a domed pile.

The rock foundation

1. If logs are unavailable, create low piles of rocks within a 1.5 – 3.0 m square. Leave space between the rock piles for small mammals to enter.
2. Loosely place gnarly branches on top to create a domed pile.

Upkeep

Add new branches to the top of the pile every few years to replace settled and decayed material or rebuild the pile as needed.

Tips

• Old clay drainage tiles or pipes (15 – 20 cm diameter and 30 cm long) can be used to create small wildlife tunnels within the foundation.
• Wooden pallets can be used in place of foundation logs or rocks, but the pallets may decompose faster.
• A few evergreen branches can be placed on top, but be careful not to make the pile too dark and shady as birds and mammals do not find this appealing.
• It is fine to use the woody branches and trunks of non-native shrubs and trees such as buckthorns that have been cut down, but do not use any part that has berries as this may further spread the invasive plant.
• For large sites, multiple brush piles or a brush pile row can be installed to help animals get safely from one part of the site to the other.
• Ensuring a few long branches extend beyond the pile will provide a perch for songbirds.

Helpful Links and Resources

• by United States Department of Agriculture
• The Woodlot Management Handbook by Stewart Hilts and Peter Mitchell. Illustrations by Ann-Ida Heck