The Backyard Habitat You Can Create in One Afternoon for Winter Wildlife – Before Frost Arrives
A brush pile is used by squirrels, birds, insects, and amphibians alike
All the twigs, branches, and garden debris you collect this fall can be repurposed to create invaluable shelter for winter wildlife: a brush pile. Used by small mammals, birds, and insects in the garden, it provides somewhere to escape the cold weather and forage for food.
It's such an easy way to make your yard wildlife-friendly before frost. You simply pile up your gathered garden debris with pockets and caves for wildlife to use. It's similar to a dead hedge but not necessarily contained or in a formal structure.
It takes just minutes to construct and gives you somewhere to put all the garden waste you collect this season. Creating one now gives your backyard wildlife plenty of time to move in before frosty days arrive. And if you're yet to prune your hedges and trees this fall, pick up the Felco F2 pruning shears from Amazon to collect material for your brush pile.
What is a Brush Pile?
A brush pile is a loose heap of cuttings, twigs, branches, and other woody garden debris.
It acts as shelter and a foraging site for winter wildlife, from birds to squirrels and chipmunks, overwintering insects, and even amphibians looking for a damp spot for brumation (hibernation).
The different cavities and tunnels within a brush pile offer lots of space to shelter from the wind and frost. The fact it attracts insects also makes it a great spot to help feed garden birds in winter.
It's one of the easiest DIY wildlife shelters you can make, as it really is just a pile of garden debris left undisturbed for wildlife to use.
The bonus is that it also means you don't have to worry about disposing of your garden debris. Though, you can also use some of your gatherings to make your own compost.
How to Make a Brush Pile
It's super easy to make a brush pile, but there are a few considerations to keep in mind.
Your brush pile should be located in a quieter spot where wildlife will be undisturbed. It should be sheltered, like underneath a tree or next to a hedge as a windbreak.
It can also be best to build your brush pile with the largest branches at the bottom, to create a raised foundation where wildlife can pass through as needed. It will also hold some of the material off the wet ground.
You can then layer up fallen branches, twigs, and woody debris to create the shelter. Aim to cross branches to give it structure and create coverage. You should avoid creating a tightly-packed pile, as this will limit the cavities available for wildlife.
Dry leaves can also be used to add coverage, but you should make sure to leave some openings for wildlife to enter.
Avoid over-tidying your yard surrounding the brush pile, too, to extend the wildlife habitat. This includes not removing fallen leaves, allowing the plants for seedheads to remain, and putting out the best bird feeders for fall and winter – a tube feeder (like this from Walmart) will keep moisture out.
What to Shop
Our guide to feeding wildlife in winter has more useful information n how to help different backyard wildlife over the coming months. This includes growing native plants that feed birds in winter and not removing seedheads.
If you love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news, why not sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox?
