Picket fence

– **History**:
– Popular in the United States since colonial era
– Originally used as defense with sharpened logs
– Now used for containment without obstructing views
– Traditionally made of wood, now available in PVC
– Cricket fields were surrounded by picket fences before advertising

– **Design**:
– Typically 36 to 48 inches tall
– Horizontal top and bottom rails attached to posts
– Vertical boards called pickets with pointed tops
– Materials include wood, vinyl, and aluminum
– Different types of wood can be used for picket fences

– **Installation**:
– Posts inserted into the ground
– Holes dug manually or with power auger
– Concrete poured to secure posts
– Horizontal rails attached to posts
– Pickets attached to horizontal rails

– **Symbolism**:
– Iconic Americana status
– Symbolizes middle-class suburban life
– Associated with family, large house, and peaceful living
– Some negative associations in recent years
– Used in popular culture to represent ideal suburban life

– **In Popular Culture**:
– Picket fence shown in Botticelli’s painting
– Phrase also describes text without spaces
– Common in Old Latin documents
– White picket fences appeal to homeowners
– Symbol of suburbs in media and art