Brush Piles
A brush pile is a mound or heap of woody vegetative materials and often serves as cover for particular wildlife species.
Process
BASE
Layered logs on the bottom provides space for animals to nest or take cover.
MIDDLE
Loosely formed sticks throughout the middle area allows sunlight and air to pass through.
TOP
Tightly packed sticks on top can be good protective cover against harsh weather conditions.
Locations
Away From Home
Near Wildlife Food Sources
Near Streams or Ponds
Multiple Medium Size Brush Piles Are Better Than One Big One
Stumps!
Tree stumps make great locations for brush piles too!
Nesting, Resting
& Escape Covers
Brush piles are an incredible resource for many animals, insects and birds, here in Indiana. These are some of the woodland friends you should expect to see in a brush pile near you.
mammals
American Mink
Chipmunks
Field Mice
Squirrels
Rabbits
Birds
White-Throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Brown Thrasher
Owls
Hawks
Others
Garter Snakes
Black Rat Snake
Lots of bugs
Predators
Domestic Pets
Coyotes
Hawks
Foxes
Owls
