Be creative: Don't burn or mulch your brush piles!

This is the second brush pile that I decided to break down, piece by piece. Like the other brush pile, I utilized this one for building up the berm. I also created habitat for the wildlife in the area, like the gray fox couple that frequents the property.

     This brush pile took a little longer.

Using the limbs, I built up the berm along the entrance to keep the rain water and soil on the land. Over time, it will create a nice build up of soil.

I used these limbs to create my wildlife habitat. I left an opening big enough on both sides to enter or exit. Also, inside it's tall and wide enough for young foxes (kits, pups) to play in.

     The habitat.

Brush piles: Instead of mulching or burning, utilize them!

This brush pile has been here for more than 12 years. Over time it has deteriorated so imagine how big it was at the beginning. I decided to break it down piece by piece and utilize it for building up my berm to control runoff of water and soil. One bonus was all the fertile soil created during the decomposition stage. I probably got 25 wheelbarrows loaded with great soil. If I would have burned or shredded it, I wouldn't have been able to use it to its full potential.

This is what was created underneath the brush pile. Just look at all that rich soil–25 wheelbarrows full!

          

I added the bigger twigs and branches to the existing berm.

Good bye, brush pile!