A fence of stakes goes by three main names. Tall pointed stakes set close together form a palisade. Flat-topped boards with no gaps between them create a stockade. Shorter spaced stakes with decorative tops make a picket fence. The name changes based on the height, spacing, and shape of the stakes.
I first saw a real palisade fence at a colonial history site in Virginia a few years back. They had built one from hand-split oak stakes around their garden plot. That fence stood about 9 feet tall and blocked all sight lines. The guides told me settlers built these to keep deer and livestock away from crops. I kept thinking the same design could work for my own garden.
The palisade fence has the longest history of the three types. Colonial American settlements built them 8 to 10 feet tall from sharpened logs buried deep in the dirt. The pointed tops kept people from climbing over. These tall barriers served as the main defense for entire towns. Garden-scale palisade fences still stop deer because the animals won't jump a solid wall they can't see past.
Palisade Fence
- Height range: Stands 6 to 10 feet tall with sharpened or pointed tops for strong security around garden borders.
- Stake spacing: Stakes sit tight against each other with no visible gaps to block both sight and entry.
- Best use: Large garden areas where deer or big animals pose the main threat to your crops.
Stockade Fence
- Height range: Runs 5 to 8 feet tall with flat or dog-eared tops and boards placed tight for full privacy.
- Board style: Uses milled lumber instead of raw stakes for a cleaner and more modern look in your yard.
- Best use: Backyard gardens where you want wind cover and privacy from neighbors at the same time.
Picket Fence
- Height range: Stands 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 meters) with spaced stakes and decorative tops.
- Stake spacing: Gaps between pickets allow air flow and clear views while marking your garden line.
- Best use: Front garden borders and flower beds where charm matters more than keeping pests out.
The stockade fence grew popular in suburban America during the 1950s and 1960s. Homeowners on smaller lots wanted privacy from their neighbors. A stockade fence uses milled boards instead of raw stakes. The boards sit flush so you can't see through them at all. Modern stockade fences work well for gardens that need wind cover and visual screening.
Each style fills a different role in a garden setting. A palisade fence keeps large animals out of bigger plots. A stockade fence gives you privacy and blocks harsh wind. A picket fence adds curb appeal to front gardens and flower beds. I've seen gardeners combine styles too. One neighbor of mine uses 4-foot pickets along the front and a 6-foot stockade section along the back where deer enter.
Pick the stake fence style that matches your main goal. Go with a picket for looks, a stockade for privacy, or a palisade for tall security. All three share the same core design of vertical stakes on rails. The height and spacing you choose shape what that fence can do for your garden.
In my experience, most home gardeners do best with a 4-foot picket or a 6-foot stockade depending on their pest pressure. Deer need taller barriers. Rabbits and small critters just need tight spacing. Think about what you're fencing against before you pick a style. The right fence of stakes saves you money and trouble from day one.
You can build any fence of stakes from cedar, pine, or recycled lumber. Cedar lasts the longest without treatment at 15 to 20 years. Pressure-treated pine costs less and lasts about the same with the chemical protection. Raw pine rots within 3 to 5 years so avoid it for stakes that touch the ground.
Read the full article: Garden Fence Guide for Every Yard
