Zigzag Fence
A zigzag fence - also called a snake fence, worm fence, or split-rail fence - is a traditional wooden fence built in a zigzag pattern without posts or nails, common in the rural South and Appalachia.
synonyms: rail fence, traditional fence, rustic fence
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Those 'zigzag fences' made of split wood are still all over the place around here. Pronunciation
[ZIG-zag FENS] /ˈzɪɡ.zæɡ fɛns/
Meaning & Usage
- Traditional fence pattern
Ruby:
Why’s it all crooked?
Why’s it all crooked?
Papaw:
That’s a zigzag fence - easier to build without posts, and it holds up.
That’s a zigzag fence - easier to build without posts, and it holds up.variations: snake fence, worm fence, split-rail fence, zig-zag fence, zigzag rail fence
★ Zigzag fences can stand without posts because the crisscross pattern braces itself. They’re iconic on old Southern farms and historic battlefields alike. ★
Origin
Brought to the Southern Appalachians by early European settlers, especially Scots-Irish and German farmers. The design dates back to the 1700s and was prized for its simplicity - no need to dig post holes or buy nails, just split rails stacked in a zigzag pattern.
Notes
- Common names include worm fence, snake fence, and split-rail fence; "zigzag fence" is the more formal description.
- Still found on farms, old homesteads, and historic parks in the South and Appalachia.
- Some fences were topped with rails or woven with brush to keep livestock in or predators out.
- The zigzag pattern makes the fence sturdier on uneven ground.