A dead hedge is made by creating two parallel lines of posts and laying the branches of felled trees between the rows. These branches are then interwoven for strength, and all the other brash and trimmings can be used to fill gaps and secure the components together. While such a hedge has a limited lifespan, it offers several advantages: it strengthens the boundary fence, provides a way of disposing of the brash from occasionally felled trees, and perhaps most importantly, it immediately provides shelter for small creatures in a form much more attractive than piles of brash and sticks.

Additionally, a dead hedge does not need to be completed all at once – it can be extended as more material becomes available, and it can easily be repaired and rejuvenated when its contents begin to settle and decay, allowing even more brash to be "disappeared"! While we haven't moved away from living hedges – as all historic field boundaries are maintained by our volunteers each year – this different type of hedge serves a distinct purpose. For the needs of the wilding area, a dead hedge is undoubtedly a good hedge!