Canadian Wildlife Federation: Build a Brush Pile for Wildlife

Canadian Wildlife Federation: Build a Brush Pile for Wildlife: Position your brush pile within or near woods or in “edge” habitats — that is, between two different habitats, such as the edge between a forest and a clearing or field, between a stream and marsh, near land that’s being cleared or partially underwater along the edge of a pond.

Some additional planning will make your brush pile the hottest hangout in the neighbourhood:

• Ensure a section of your brush pile gets direct sunlight and you will attract animals that like to bask.
• Add stone piles along the edges of the brush pile to act as basking sites.
• Encourage fruiting vines and flowering plants to sprawl through your brush pile to add density and stability and attract pollinators and songbirds.
• Keep it away from snags (standing dead trees), where raptors often scan for ground prey and launch their attacks.
• Cover the top with evergreen branches from your Christmas tree to provide a snow and ice barrier.
• Add new brush to the top every few years to replace settled and decayed material.
• Place it well away from your house to discourage wild tenants from moving in.