From 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica
Although used since at least Roman Imperial times, abatis is rarely seen nowdays, having been largely replaced by wire obstacles. However it may be used as a supplement when barbed wire is in short supply. Also, a form of giant abatis, using whole trees instead of branches, can be used as an anti-tank obstacle.
An important weakness of abatis - in comparison to barbed wire - is that if time allows, it can be destroyed by fire. Also if it is laced together with rope instead of wire, the rope can be very quickly destroyed by fire, after which the abatis can be quickly pulled apart by grappling hooks thrown from a safe distance.
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