[Greenbuilding] Fencing

[Arnie Katz]

Jeff and Corwyn: 

Several years ago I joined with my neighbors and used deer fencing from
Benners Gardens to fence in about 3 acres so we could have gardens again
and, hopefully reduce the deer tick population. The product is very well
engineered, relatively inobtrusive, has held up very well, and has kept
out the deer. We're enjoying vegetables and flowers again, which had
become impossible.

However, this material will not prevent dogs from coming or going. We
were hopeful that it would keep our dogs in, but an energetic black lab
can get through it in very short order. 

We wound up installing an "invisible fence" w/shock collars on the dogs.
The combination works great. We simply lay the wire on the ground next
to the fence, burying it only at the gates. While lots of dogs will go
right over these devices--freedom being worth a quick shock,
apparently--taking the time to tear through the plastic fence is more
than our dogs, at least, are willing to put up with. 

The only problem now is that other dogs--without the collars--come over
to play, and break into our yard. Occasional patching is a small price
to pay, however.

And after several months, we turned off the electric fence, and after
awhile stopped putting the collars on the dogs.  

Arnie Katz
Director of Training
Advanced Energy
909 Capability Drive, Suite 2100
Raleigh, NC 27606
919/857-9029
akatz at advancedenergy.org
www.advancedenergy.org

Message: 5
Date: Tue, 27 May 2008 19:17:04 -0400
From: Corwyn <corwyn at midcoast.com>
Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Green Fencing?
To: Jeffrey Hayes <jeff_hayes at stratalys.com>
Cc: greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
Message-ID: <d1b894c8869487137154bdfb26ba3736 at midcoast.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed


On May 27, 2008, at 19:03, Jeffrey Hayes wrote:

> Hi All - I'm looking for any ideas regarding materials/type of fencing
> that could be used to fence a large, multi-acre wooded area.  The
> purpose of the fencing is to enclose dogs (the property will be a dog
> sanctuary eventually).  I'm sensitive to the fact that this will be a
> large expenditure of material resources and money, and I want to know
> if there are more/less sustainable approaches to doing this.  The
> fence will be 4.5-5' high.  I want to build it such that it disturbs
> as little of the natural growth in the area that is currently there.
> Any ideas are much appreciated!

Jeff,

I would look into deer fence.  I have seen stuff which looks like 
square grid chicken wire made from plastic.  Normally it is just 
stapled to trees.  Very unobtrusive.   Don't know much more about it, 
but seems worth investigating.

Thank You Kindly,

Corwyn


-- 
Corwyn
Kermit didn't know the half of it...
http://www.greenfret.com/
corwyn at greenfret.com