Pithecellobium dulce (Fabaceae), Dichrostachys cinerea (Fabaceae), Acacia polycantha (Fabaceae), Jatropha curcus (Euphorbiaceae), Jatropha gossypifolia (Euphorbiaceae), Jatropha integrimma (Euphorbiaceae), Ervatamia coronaria (Apocynaceae), Thevetia neriifolia (Apocynaceae) are the examples of woody plants which can be used as live fences. These woody species are avoided by the cattle.

Thank you for this list Arvind, the idea is to first narrow it down to this characteristics and on a second stage to the particularities of poor drainage of the soils in the humid chaco as well as periodical floodings, etc. We are seeking to establish trial sites as soon as possible. Thanks again! 

There is a book about invasive plant species in Colombia that may help you deciding about what not to use: López, D. C., Arboleda, N. C., & Toro, J. C. (2011). Plantas introducidas, establecidas e invasoras en Amazonia colombiana. Instituto Amazónico de Investigaciones Científicas" SINCHI".

I think you could use any of the Opuntia species (i.e. O. americana). You can grow it, just by spraying small pices along the line, It does not need any particular care; has a convenient growth rate, and it is not edible because it bears terrible thorns. In adition, you may either eat its (very swet) fruits or use them to feed the livestock). It was a traditional fenc ing way here in South Spain.

There is quite a literarture on Living fences in Central America, One thing that actually has worked well are cacti--like the big Opuntias ( there may be some native ones in the Chaco) I note I am repeating Jose merino's comment. Jatropha can be  pretty toxic so i would be careful, but also: once you get them up, many of the cassia are quite good as livestock fodder, an issue under questions of climate change...

S

You may also consider Cactus spps where the environment allows.

One solution is to put big steacks of 3 m of lenght of leguminous trees, like eritrinas.  Because after you could use the leaves as forrage in the dry period. 

Thank you all for your ideas and inputs, we are looking for a solution which can be applied to very long fencing projects larger than 30 Km long, usually run by large-scale ranchers. We hope to offer a real solution to traditional fencing, live fences are not at all generalized in the region and we seek for a solution which can also be economically attractive for producers. Transplanting stakes could show interesting to reduce implementation times also. You can see the kind of native grasslands we work in the picture.  

Supposedly living fences are 50% cheaper than conventional fences. This is a good argument!  

Bursera simaruba commonly known as gumbo-limbo is often used as natural fencing on cattle ranches in Belize. 

Bursera simaruba commonly known as gumbo-limbo is often used as natural fencing on cattle ranches in Belize. 

Bursera simaruba commonly known as gumbo-limbo is often used as natural fencing on cattle ranches in Belize. 

Bursera simaruba commonly known as gumbo-limbo is often used as natural fencing on cattle ranches in Belize. 

Agreed, Kenrick- here in Yucatán from Maya tradition the chakah (or bursera s.) is used as fence posts. It can be planted just cutting young limbs and sticking them in the ground, where within a few years you will have sizeable trees. 

Chaya (Cnidoscolus chayamansa) has also been used as living fence. It grows about three meters tall and has the extra benefit of being an extremely nutritious plant (leaves).

You will want to vary your plant choice according to whether you want hedge, post or palisade style fencing, which will depend partly on its function- protect garden, enclose "ganado menor", or as you have stated, mark out pasture for rotational grazing.

I hope this helps!

hi

There are many species that can be used as live tree fences, but things is since all the species have their own habitats you cannot use or apply every context. so most important thing is you want to find some species which are suitable to apply particular areas that you want to apply 

hi Karim Musalem 

I could find out some research works related to species that can be used as live tree fences and I am sending some of them as links and attachments 

all the best 

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J064v03n02_07

http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/280/1771/20132025.short

 Hi

I am from Sri Lanka, farmers of my country use several species as live tree fences and I am sending some research works regarding that. I think that will also be useful for your need  

http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Publicat/Gutt-shel/x5556e07.htm

Dear Chaminda, Kenrick and Andrea, Thank you for your inputs to this question as well as relevant documents. Living most of my life in Mesoamerica, I found live fences a common part of the landscape, however, now involved in research in grasslands of South America, I notice there are no or seldom live fences used here. Long distances (over 10 kms), clayish and floodable soils as well as the availability of hardwood for posts construction usually determines the use of conventional fences despite their high costs. From this idea we will design a research pilot project to try first native species for fencing in this conditions. Thank you very much!