Making a Native Rock Wall

Throughout the Northeastan U.S. rock walls can be seen. Originally, Native Americans created these structures, however, when European settlers arrived in New England they took some of the stones from these walls to make their own. They also utilized similar techniques the tribes employed to make these stone borders. One of the main purposes of the settlers' walls was to enclose livestock so they would stay away from farming areas. They were also used to define a border around a home. Today rock walls may be used for more decorative purposes, such as adding a rustic element to a backyard garden.

Gathering the Stones

Stones native to a certain area can be gotten by visit a stone center or public rock quarry. River beds, on the side of highways in or near exposed rock, at the bottom of cliffs are other possible places to get rocks. If you get the stones directly from a forest or other natural setting, make certain that it is lawful to do so. If the rocks lie in a wildlife protected, for instance, you may be prohibited from taking anything from that area. Contact your state's Department of Natural Resources to determine where it is legal and illegal to get such stones.

Some Considerations

You don't want to build the wall near trees since the root system may eventually invade and destroy it. Also, depending on where and how high your wall is going to be, you may have to get a permit. Check with your neighborhood association or local zoning authorities to see what types of structures require permits.

Types of Walls

Prior to construction, decide which type of wall you should build. There are mortarless walls which, when given a deep foundation, can withstand the elements well, according to amateur builder John Vivian. However, such walls can shift over time, according to writers at HGTV. There are also mortared walls which have unseen and seen mortar, the unseen mortar variety being the most difficult to make.

Mortarless, or Dry-stacked, Walls

As mentioned by John Vivian, these creations are made by digging a very deep trench into the ground. Define a border with the tip of a spade by pressing the tip into the ground, creating a narrow line in earth. Next, dig a hole deep enough so that the rocks will be able to more or less stay in place through the thawing and freezing of the ground throughout the year. (If you live in an area that does not experiences cold winters, this may be such a strong consideration. It may still be a good idea to dig a deep hole to make the wall more durable.) Lay large, rough-shaped stones into your hole with the roughest side down. Make the top of each layer with flat rocks for evenness. Carefully, place each layer of rock on top of the previous one, remembering to place them so gravity has the most influence over them.
When lifting rocks use tools like a ramp or lever so that you are not harming your back. Also use safety clothing like steel-toed boots and thick gloves. Continue laying down the rocks until you get to the top layer which you want to layer with thin, heavy rocks to create a flat top edge.

Mortared Walls

In order to create a native rock wall using mortar, start by defining your border using the tip of the spade blade and drawing a line in the dirt with it. Dig along the line, making the hole, or footing, large enough for your wall. For instance, for a height of about 8 inches and 25 feet long, dig to a depth of 3 inches and a width of 8 inches, according to writers at HGTV. Use "Ready-Mix" cement for your mortar. Prepare by placing the dry mix into a large bucket or wheelbarrow, add water bit by bit while mixing with a spade until it has the consistency of oatmeal.

Place a large drop of cement into the footing and place a large rock into it. Make certain it is not one of the better-looking stones. Save those for the visible layers. Continue putting a small blob of cement, a little more than fist-size, into the footing and laying a stone on top of it until you have completed your first layer. Make sure it's level by placing a wood pole at either end of the wall. Tie string around either end of the poles so it is taunt. The height of the string should equal the height of the first layer of rock. Set a level on the string to ensure your layer is level. Adjust the stones if need be.

For the next layer, place cement on the first stone from your first layer and then stack a rock on top of it. Continue to do this until another row of stones is complete. Add more layers using the drop and place method until you have reached the desired height for your wall. As work, check to see how fast the mortar is drying so that you can work to remove excess cement before it dries completely. Finish up by scrubbing both fascades of the wall with a wire brush to remove excess mortar.