A wattle fence is an easy-to-build wood fence that has a rustic appearance. The method for making this type of fence dates back to at least the Bronze Age.Wattle fences were extremely common in medieval Europe, but fell out of favor by the 18th century with the replacement of stone and earthen walls with wooden ones. Today they are enjoying a new popularity because they look great while being very inexpensive to build.
How to build a wattle fence, wattle fence materials, what is a wattle fence. This article was written because I wanted to know how to build a wattle fence myself. I’ve seen this style of fencing used on the country side and it seemed easy enough to knock up. But when I saw the price of the kits I decided it’s probably not that expensive or difficult, so I’ll just do it myself.
A wattle fence is a type of fence made from woven branches or sticks. It’s a low-cost, short-term alternative to other types of fencing. The materials for a wattle fence can be as simple as branches and twigs or as complex as saplings and vines.
Wattles are used to make fences in some parts of the world. They were originally made from branches or sticks woven together. Wattle fences usually last only one or two years before they need to be replaced, but they are inexpensive and easy to build.
What Is a Wattle Fence?
A wattle fence is made by weaving branches together. This creates an interlocking pattern that holds the branches together and makes it difficult for animals to get through them.
Wattles are often used in combination with other materials such as mud (adobe), stones (stone wall) or logs (log cabin). Wattles can be used alone or combined with other materials in order to make stronger fences that last longer than those made with just wattles alone.
Wattle fences are a type of fence made from interweaving thin branches or saplings, usually flexible ones like willow. The name comes from the Old English word “wætta” meaning wattled, and refers to the kind of interwoven structure that gives this type of fence its distinctive look.
Wattle fences are most commonly used as decorative fencing, or as a temporary or permanent barrier around gardens and fields. They’re also very common in many parts of the world where they’re used as natural fencing materials for livestock.
A wattle fence is a type of construction that uses wattle, a lattice of thin twigs or branches woven together in a basketry style. Wattle fences were traditionally used for enclosing sheep and cattle.
Wattle fences are still popular today as they can be built quickly and easily. They can also be used to create privacy walls or windbreaks.
Wattle fencing is usually constructed from willow rods or bamboo stalks, but it can also be made from other materials such as reeds and straw.
Wattle fencing is a type of fencing made from woven branches or twigs. It’s also known as “wattle and daub” since the material is often used in combination with clay and straw to create a thick, strong wall that can be used to build homes.
Wattle fences are usually found in areas where wood is plentiful and labor is cheap, such as Europe, Africa and Australia. They’re also common in rural areas of the United States where people may not have access to electricity or other power tools.
Wattle fences are often used for decorative purposes but they can also be used to create small animal enclosures or protect gardens from animals.
🛠️ What This Is About
Wattle fencing is a type of fencing that can be made from a number of different materials. It is traditionally made from wood and it’s name comes from the technique used to weave it together. Wattle fencing is also called woven lattice or hollow fence.
Wattle fencing is made with two or more horizontal stakes that are joined together by vertical poles, which then support branches or twigs. The vertical poles are woven through the horizontal stakes to create a lattice-like pattern.
There are a couple different types of wattle fence:
Woven lattices – These fences are made by weaving horizontal stakes into vertical stakes to create a mesh-like pattern. They’re sometimes also called ‘hollow fences’ because they have empty spaces between each individual strand of wood that create gaps within the fence itself.
Hedges – Hedges are usually planted in front of wattle fences as an additional form of landscaping. Hedging plants can help add color and texture to your yard while keeping unwanted pests out.
Wattle fencing is made of interwoven branches or saplings, traditionally of willow, hazel, or blackthorn. Wattle fences were historically used to fence in animals, but they are also used to define property lines and to delineate garden beds and other outdoor spaces today.
Wattle fences are often used as decorative elements in gardens and yards. They can be woven together to form a privacy screen, as well as to enclose an area for livestock or other animals.
Wattle fences are fairly easy to build and maintain, especially if you have access to willow or hazel trees (or similar) in your yard or neighborhood. The fence is made by weaving thin branches between stakes (as shown above). If you don’t have access to trees, consider using bamboo stakes instead as they won’t rot like wood will.
You’re learning how to build a wattle fence—a classic wood fence woven between upright stakes. It’s durable, natural, and can last 7–10 years if done well.
📋 Materials or Tools Needed
- Upright posts (pickets):
- Cedar 4×4 in (or 2×6 for extra strength) – rot-resistant and bug-repellent.
- Alternatives: pressure-treated pine, redwood, oak, chestnut, or impregnated stakes
- Weavers (“withies”):
- Flexible branches like willow, hazel, oak, bamboo, maple, poplar, reeds
- Wire (optional):
- Galvanized (rust-resistant) or aluminum (easy to cut/splice)
- Tools:
- Mallet or hammer, pruning shears, saw, sledgehammer or post driver, shovel/spade, gloves, tape measure
- Optional: soaking tub, gravel or concrete, jute twine, gate hardware
⚙️ Step‑by‑Step Instructions
- Plan the layout:
• Mark fence line and measure. Decide fence height and spacing (30–45 cm / 12–18″ between posts) - Install posts:
• Drive posts at least 30 cm (1 ft) into the ground for stability. Use gravel or concrete base for extra hold - Prepare branches:
• Cut flexible branches (1–3 cm / ½–1 in diameter). Longer is better—2.5 m (8 ft) is ideal
• Soak dry branches for a few hours to improve pliability - Weave the fence:
• Start at the bottom, weaving the branch behind one post, then in front of the next (over-under pattern)
• Stack weavers tight as you go up, trimming ends at the top posts - Finish and trim:
• Use thicker branches for a neat top row. Trim uneven ends. Leave space to let fence settle
✅ Pros and Cons
- ✅ Cost-effective — materials often free or low-cost
- ✅ Eco-friendly — uses local, biodegradable materials
- ✅ Durability — rot-resistant wood can last 7–10 years
- ✅ Aesthetic charm — rustic look with wildlife appeal
- ⚠️ Maintenance — check posts yearly, tighten loose weaving, apply oil or sealant, replace weavers every 3–4 years
- ⚠️ Load limits — heavy vines may need extra support
🔍 Compared with Other Fences
- Versus standard wood pickets: cheaper, rustic, less uniform
- Versus wire mesh: more decorative, but needs upkeep
- Versus wattle & daub walls: wattle here is for fencing, not filled with plaster
💡 Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using posts too shallow (< 30 cm) → leads to wobble
- Not soaking dry branches → may crack while weaving
- Weaving loosely → results in gaps as branches shrink
- Letting soil/mulch touch posts → invites rot
👷 Who Should Use This?
- Gardeners wanting a natural, charming boundary
- Homesteaders with access to branches
- DIY folks who appreciate woven crafts over nails
🧰 Expert Tips
- Cut 5× more branches than you expect to need
- Start weaving thicker, flexible branches at the bottom for strength
- For extra hold, drive posts deeper after heavy rains when soil is softer
- Leave slight top trim until fence settles; adjust later
📌 Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Post depth | ≥ 30 cm (1 ft) |
| Spacing | 30–45 cm (12–18″) |
| Weavers length | ~2.5 m (8 ft) |
| Best season | Winter/spring for flexible weavers |
| Lifespan | 7–10 years with rot-resistant wood |
- “A wattle fence is weaved similar to wicker … but … significantly more sturdy.”
- “Wattle hurdles can provide easy‑to‑move fencing … require no special equipment …”
- “Starting at the bottom, flexible willow shoots … are woven in and out of the uprights (staves).”
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
Construction Material | Branches and Twigs
Bamboo
Reeds
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Wattle fences may have been used as far back as ancient Egypt, where they were used to enclose fields and gardens. They are still in use today as an economical way to enclose an area and keep livestock contained.
Wattle fences are made from interwoven branches that are wrapped around a frame to create a mesh. The mesh can be used as a fence, or an enclosure for animals or crops. Wattle fences were originally made from willow branches, but today they can also be made from bamboo or reeds.
Wattle fencing has been used for thousands of years. The earliest examples were found in Egypt and date back to 3100 B.C. These fences were made by weaving willow branches together into a mesh and then bending them over a frame like a screen door.
Wattle fencing has been used throughout history all over the world, including in China, Australia, Africa and Europe. The word “wattle” comes from the Old English word “weotul,” which means basket-like framework of sticks woven together to form a fence or wall.