“It has a very rich history in the colonial United States and was born out of the
need for agriculture. Farmers cleared their fields to plant crops and, in the process, uncovered thousands of fieldstones, which
they didn’t move off the property, but used to make walls to establish boundaries and
contain their livestock. Amazingly, the majority of these walls are still
standing today. A well-constructed wall should last at least a century.”
Eblacker admits that stone walling is sadly somewhat of a “dying art,” not taught in landscape architecture schools and often misinterpreted by
landscapers, who build walls that may be cosmetically attractive but don’t have enough structural integrity to last even a generation. But he contends
that anyone can learn to build walls that are artistic and structurally sound.
He’s a member of an elite group of dry stone craftsman called the Dry Stone Walling
Association of Great Britain, which has set the international principles and
standards for his trade for centuries. Members throughout the world share
artistic and structural techniques and continue their tradition by teaching
novice stone setters and homeowners how to approach their own projects.
“Stone walling is a skill that requires very little in the way of equipment,” he acknowledges. “Choose a stone that’s as local as possible. Ideally, use stone found on the property—we believe that gives the wall a spiritual tie to the land. Beyond that, you
need a hammer, some string, and stakes to set your lines, and you have enough
supplies to build a wall.”
It would seem that building walls without mortar is not a good idea for those
who live in areas prone to earthquakes, but Eblacker disagrees. “A properly constructed wall can rise to forty feet and survive an earthquake. It
will have flexibility and actually ‘breathe,’ settling back into its original shape.”
Stone walls can take many shapes, from tall and straight to low and curvilinear.
Landscape designer Julie Moir Messervy believes that they add whimsy and
interest to a garden and frequently ties a wall into her designs. Annually, she
and Eblacker bring expert stone setters together on her Saxton River, Vermont,
estate to conduct weekend-long stone wall setting workshops and explore various
techniques.
“Walls define a garden by creating corners, edges, and organizing it into zones:
the ‘welcoming zone,’ the ‘living zone,’ and transitional spaces,” Moir Messervy says. “The ‘neighboring zone’ sets you apart from other homes. A beautiful stone wall creates a nestling hug
of safety and refuge around a property. Once inside, your garden becomes a
magical, private sanctuary.” 
Written by Robyn Roehm Cannon
