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Fences have an important role in rural communities, used in protection and demarcation of territories, animal breeding and plantations. However, how the fences are built and their variations are few studied, especially in semi-arid zones, and little is known about the diversity of species that compose them and how these constructions can interfere with the local landscape. This study aimed to identify the species used in the construction of fences, their typology and how they are built in a community of the municipality of Cabaceiras, in the of semi-arid Paraiba, Brazil. At each of the community residences, 50m of fences were measured, recorded, and all vegetable elements identified to species level when possible. After analyzing the fences, their keepers (50 men and 20 women) were interviewed, to obtain data about the use and management of the fences. In 3500m of fences, 76661 individuals were recorded, identified in ten species, most of them belonging to dead stakes. The respondents reported a preference for a few species, especially the pereiro’ (Aspidosperma pyrifolium Mart) and inarmoleiro’ or quince (Croton blanchetianus Bain), which is a point of concern due to excessive extraction of these species. Therefore, incentive plans are necessary at the community, to make the people using the exotic species or to make them increasing the use of live fences.