Mount Vernon near Alexandria in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Fence and Ditch
" there is nothing I more ardently desire; nor indeed is there any more essential to my permanent interest, than raising of live fences on proper Ditches or banks."
George Washington to Overseers at Mount Vernon, July 14, 1792
Washington attempted to replace his expensive wood fences with "live" fences hedges so dense that they would turn away all animals, from the smallest rabbit to the largest deer. Despite his repeated directions to plant the banks of ditches with fast growing locust and willow, he never succeeded in fully protecting his garden with "live" fences.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Architecture. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 14, 1792.
Location. 38° 42.447′ N, 77° 5.262′ W. Marker is near Alexandria, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is in Mount Vernon. It can be reached from George Washington Memorial Parkway east of Mount Vernon Memorial Highway (Virginia Route 235), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alexandria VA 22309, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Fruit Garden (within shouting distance of
this page online
Additional keywords. landscape architecture
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 9, 2025
3. Fence and Ditch Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 381 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 26, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on August 9, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.
