United States Department of Agriculture

![](media/image1.png){width="2.9451388888888888in"
height="0.45069444444444445in"}

**Indiana -- October 2007** (ver. 1.0)

  ------------------- -------------- --------------- ----------- -----------------
  **Landowner:**                                     **County:   
                                                          **     

  **F****arm:      ** **Tract:       Field(s):                   **Date:      **
                           **                                    

  Concurrence of IDNR                                            
  District Biologist                                             
  (recommended):                                                 
  ------------------- -------------- --------------- ----------- -----------------

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **Specific Recommendations**

  **** **Species to be benefited:** **     **

  **** **Purpose of brush pile:** **     **

  **** **Number and spacing of Brush Piles:** **     **

  **Preparation:** **     **

  **Additional Operation and Maintenance:** **     **

  **Site/Sketch map attached**

  **Comments:      **
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

**WHAT IS A BRUSH PILE?**

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="3.5076388888888888in"
height="2.2576388888888888in"}The term "brush pile" describes a mound of
woody vegetative material constructed to furnish additional wildlife
cover. Brush piles can be fashioned in many different ways to meet
various cover needs for particular wildlife species.

Loosely formed brush piles can provide nesting habitat, resting areas,
concealment, and protection from predators. Brush piles that are
relatively open at ground level, but tightly compacted above, can
provide good protective cover against harsh weather conditions. Densely
packed piles of logs, rocks, or boulders can provide den sites for
additional species of wildlife such as reptiles.

Constructing brush piles on your land can provide cover for
ground-nesting birds such as quail, songbirds, rabbits, and other small
mammals. Landowners should determine their target wildlife species,
assess what cover types are needed, and specifically design brush piles
to meet those needs.

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="3.2527777777777778in"
height="2.4131944444444446in"}**PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS**

-   Place brush piles near wildlife food sources. Good locations
    include: along forest roads and edges; in woodland openings; along
    field edges and corners; and beside streams and wetlands. Isolated
    piles are not as beneficial, nor as likely to be used.

-   Brush piles can be developed in woodland habitats with the material
    left from timber harvesting, woodland edge development, forest stand
    improvement, forest opening development, or firewood cutting.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Several strategically placed medium-size piles, roughly 10 feet in
    diameter and six (6) feet high, are better than one large one.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Plant native vines such as Bittersweet, Wild Grape, or Virginia
    Creeper as an attractive cover for the brush pile; border with
    wildflowers; or screen with shrubs. Shrubs can provide additional
    food and cover.

-   Keep brush piles away from houses and lawns to avoid problems with
    nuisance wildlife.

-   Brush piles are flammable. Keep them away from buildings.

-   Consider requesting technical assistance from an Indiana Department
    of Natural Resources (IDNR), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or NRCS
    biologist through your local SWCD Office.

**Brush Piles AS Nesting, Resting And Escape Cover**

Predators such as owls, hawks, foxes, coyotes, and domestic pets, can
significantly impact wildlife populations including rabbits and quail
when thick, brushy cover is lacking or not well distributed. The
well-planned creation and placement of brush piles can often supplement
naturally occurring escape cover for these and other wildlife species.

A loosely formed brush pile will encourage plant growth by allowing
sunlight penetration. The tangled network of dead branches will
eventually be intertwined by a thin to moderately dense stand of grasses
and forbs. The end result is excellent resting and escape cover. These
same types of brush piles may also be used as nesting sites by songbirds
such as the White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, and Brown
Thrasher.

The key to forming this type of habitat is to lightly pile branches in
such a fashion so that plenty of sunlight reaches the ground. The
branches can be sparingly piled in a teepee-type fashion or laid against
an elevated object, such as a tree stump or fallen log.

Discarded Christmas trees (without the tinsel!) can be used in a similar
manner. The resulting combination of overhead woody cover mixed with a
grass and forb groundcover provides a secure hiding and resting site.

An old, discarded section of woven wire fencing, rolled up to an inner
diameter of 1½ to 2 feet and laid on its side, will also afford rabbits
considerable protection from predators and at the same time allow
grasses and forbs to grow up through the openings. Brush piles fashioned
in this way take on the characteristics of the "old briar patch" that
rabbits find attractive.

Another alternative is to elevate a discarded wooden pallet
approximately eight (8) to 12 inches above ground. Sunlight penetrating
through the slats will allow grasses and forbs to grow and provide
additional cover.

***Living Shelters***

A brush pile will last longer if constructed of living materials. In
addition to providing cover and protection, living brush piles made from
partially cut hardwood trees can supply buds, twigs, leaves, and seeds
for animals to eat. Red cedar or locust trees can be used as well.

To make a living brush pile, find several (three to five) small hardwood
saplings (4 to 8 inches in diameter) located within a few feet from one
another. Cut each tree halfway through the trunk about 12 to 18 inches
above the ground. Place the cuts on the outside, away from the other
trees in the group. Fold the treetop over towards the other trees in the
group so it rests on the ground or on top of the other half-cut trees.
Since the tree is not cut all the way through, the tree will stay alive
for some time. Pile limbs and brush to reduce any large entrances,
particularly near the folded trunks. Avoid covering the tops of the cut
trees so they will continue to grow.

***Placement***

![](media/image4.wmf)Rabbits and quail rarely stray far from good
protective cover. This often limits the use of large open spaces that
might otherwise serve as important nesting and feeding habitat. By
placing brush piles along the edge or scattered throughout large open
areas, rabbits and quail are more likely to utilize all available
habitat.

[General Recommendations]{.underline}

-   Good locations to place brush piles include:

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Adjacent to edges of gullies, woodlands, and pastures or hay fields

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Within shrub thickets, fencerows or shelterbelts

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   In field corners or other odd areas

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   For edge habitats, such as along woodland, fence rows, or gullies,
    one (1) brush pile every 200 to 300 feet will provide adequate cover
    and travel lanes between food sources.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   In abandoned fields and other early successional habitat, create at
    least two (2) piles per acre.

-   On properties with little natural cover, create three (3) or
    four (4) brush piles per acre.

-   Avoid the bottoms of drainage ways and low spots where standing
    water or flooding will reduce the usefulness of brush pile for
    upland wildlife species.

**Brush Piles For**

**Harsh Weather Cover**

Brush piles can help ground dwelling wildlife escape the effects of
harsh weather (bitterly cold or extremely hot), snow, and ice. A
well-constructed, properly maintained, brush pile can supplement natural
cover for 10 to 15 years.

Generally, brush piles of this type should range between 10 to 15 feet
in diameter, and 5 to 8 feet in height. The most common design is built
using logs (arranged in a tic-tac-toe pattern) for the foundation and
covered with brush. Start with the largest material on the bottom to
provide hiding space under the pile. Shallow depressions can also be dug
before beginning the brush pile to provide more space.

***Foundation***

Use the largest available materials when constructing the foundation.
Logs at least six (6) to 10 inches in diameter and 10 to 15 feet in
length are recommended. The larger materials at the bottom keep the
smaller limbs off the ground, helping to prevent decay.

Start construction by laying logs parallel and six (6) to 12 inches
apart. Next, place a second layer of logs on top of, and perpendicular
to, the first layer (again about six (6) to 12 inches apart - see Figure
1). Large, flat rocks can be substituted for the second layer of logs.
Repeat this process one or two more times to complete the final tiers.
The intent is to make a pyramid-type structure that has a hollow core.
Note that old and discarded fence posts can also serve this purpose.

Many other options for building brush pile foundations are possible
depending upon the materials available:

![](media/image5.wmf)A tree stump that is still in place can create an
adequate foundation (see Figure 2). Place several logs (6 to 10 inches
in diameter and 5 to 6 feet long) on top of the stump so that the logs
are radiating out

from the center.

Discarded wooden pallets can also make a suitable base. Pallets should
be arranged in four (4) to six (6) layers (and elevated from the ground
using concrete blocks, stones, etc., if available) to form the
foundation. Consider utilizing six (6) to eight (8) inch diameter old
clay tiles to create small wildlife tunnels within the foundation.

![](media/image6.wmf)Small rock piles can be substituted as foundation
material. Create rock piles approximately 12 inches apart with each pile
about 10 inches high and 12 inches across. Stagger the piles so that
they are capable of supporting the next layer of limbs (see Figure 3).

***Brush Covering***

![](media/image7.wmf)Once completed, cover the foundation with larger
branches and limbs, placing the smallest stock on top. The cover can
consist of small limbs, saplings, old Christmas trees, stumps, or loose
brush. Use leaves or pine boughs as a cap if available.

Ideally, the foundation should be covered with two (2) to four (4) feet
of brush. Larger brush piles provide more security for wildlife and will
receive more use than smaller piles. Leave six (6) to 12 inch openings
in the sides at several places for easy wildlife access. Add to the
brush pile as new brushy material is available. The older brush will
settle as it decays, and new cover must be added as time passes.

When properly constructed, harsh weather brush piles will contain an
easily accessible labyrinth of tunnels and cavities at ground level and
at the same time provide good overhead shelter from harsh weather. Once
again, brush piles should be established throughout the management area
to meet wildlife needs.

**Other construction options**

A simple pile of logs, wood slabs, large rocks or boulders can be very
attractive to amphibians, reptiles and small mammals, especially when
located near or within woodland habitats. Piles of rotting logs or wood
slabs not only provide shelter and produce an abundance of food items,
but also maintain the moist conditions required by woodland amphibians.

***Rock Piles***

Amphibians and reptiles such as frogs, lizards, salamanders and snakes
will benefit from rock piles. Besides providing shelter and basking
areas, the rocks absorb heat during the day and radiate warmth at night.

Rock piles should start with the largest rocks (or boulders) on the
bottom of the stack to create hiding places between rocks. Broken slabs
of concrete can also be used for the foundation by arranging them
loosely to form tunnels and cavities. Digging depressions under large
flat rocks can create temporary pools for breeding frogs and salamanders
(see Figure 4).

[General Recommendations]{.underline}

-   Build a mound of rocks and stones of different shapes and sizes,
    arranging the rock pile in a way that creates openings for shelter.

-   Place pieces of chimney tile, old clay field tile or lengths of pipe
    at the base for entrances and tunnels.

-   Add flat rocks on top for amphibians and reptiles.

**OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE**

Do not use materials that contain toxic substances (i.e. pressure
treated lumber/posts, creosote railroad ties, lead painted surfaces,
tires, etc.). These substances can cause wildlife mortality either
through contact, consumption, or inhalation.

Brush piles are not permanent structures. Rot and decay are a normal
process of brush piles. As brush piles rot, more insects are attracted,
providing additional food for birds and other wildlife. The piles should
be inspected yearly to see if the state of decay is such that additional
brush is needed, or if a new brush pile should be constructed.

Site-specific recommendations are listed on the front page of this
document. See the Indiana electronic Filed Office Technical Guide
Standard (645) *Upland Wildlife Habitat/Management* for additional
wildlife guidance.

**REFERENCES**

*Wildlife Management for Missouri Landowners* (3^rd^ Ed)

<http://mdc.mo.gov/landown/wild/landmgmt/practices.htm#brush>

*Outdoor California*, CA Department of Fish & Game.

<http://www.dfg.ca.gov/ocal/>

***Helping People Help the Land***

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer