How Split Rail Fences Can Enhance Your Property's Ecological Value

Solid fences prevent any wildlife from entering. But with split rail fencing you can provide a corridor to small animals so that they can enter and pass freely. These corridors allow small animals like rabbits, foxes, and skunks to move freely across your property. It is very important for them to find food, water,and shelter, so that there is a healthy animal population in your area.

If you construct split rail fences from untreated wood, they can offer a very wholesome habitat for insects and small animals from whom you can actually benefit. These creatures, like ladybugs, spiders, and toads, are natural predators of garden pests. In preparing a welcoming environment for them, you can encourage a natural form of pest control in your garden, eliminating the need for and dependence on harmful chemicals.

Increased sunlight penetration in the spaces between the rails of a split rail fence can grow a whole range of new plants in your property. When natural elements enter the ground, wildflowers and native grasses grow, leading to diversity in your landscape and attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. These insects are essential to maintaining ecological balance in your surroundings.

Solid fences can hamper natural drainage patterns, leading to future pooling water and erosion problems. Split rail fences, on the other hand, allow rainwater to pass through freely. There will be no more waterlogging, and you can be assured of healthy soil conditions on your property due to this natural drainage method.

As the wood weathers naturally, it breaks down slowly, providing valuable habitat for decomposers like fungi and insects. These decomposers play a vital role in the natural cycle by breaking down dead plant matter and returning nutrients to the soil, enriching the overall health of your ecosystem.

Split rail fences are typically constructed from local, untreated wood. This minimizes the environmental impact compared to fences made from processed materials like metal or vinyl. Additionally, using local wood reduces the transportation footprint associated with bringing in materials from afar.

By planting native shrubs and flowers near your split rail fence, you can further enhance its ecological value. These plants provide additional food and shelter for wildlife, creating a more connected and thriving habitat on your property.