Locust Fence Posts 4X4 (not for split rail) -- where to get

[jas67]

I need to build a section of picket fence, and want to use locust 4x4's for the corners and gate posts. The only locust posts I can find are for split-rail fence (which is exactly what I used for the split rail fence I put up 2 years ago). Locust posts will last 3-4X as long as pressure-treated pine in the ground. I only want to build this once.

Any ideas on where to get these? In in South-Central PA, near Hershey.

Thanks,
Jay

 

[RickB]

I think you are going to have to poke around for small local sawyers. Not a lot of guys like to saw locust as it is a difficult wood to cut, and believe it or not, there is little call for sawn locust. Yours may well end up being a custom order filled by special arrangement. FWIW, I think locust is a great choice if you can find it.

 

[20 20]

Try CL{??} I have sawn locust before it was not bad at all. The problem is with hidden goodies, nails fence etc.

 

[jda1961]

theres a blight in locust trees, they won't last when used as post like they did years ago. save yourself a big headache and use treated posts. locust will rot out in 5 years.

 

[jas67]

theres a blight in locust trees, they won't last when used as post like they did years ago. save yourself a big headache and use treated posts. locust will rot out in 5 years.

Hmmm... When did this blight start? Will the posts I bought two years ago rot in 5 years too?

 

[whistlepig]

I feel sorry for any blight that attacks a Black Locust tree. It will lose.

 

[20 20]

theres a blight in locust trees, they won't last when used as post like they did years ago. save yourself a big headache and use treated posts. locust will rot out in 5 years.

:confused2: When did this come about. I've used black locust for many building projects, especially over the last few years. If anything it seems to be getting harder. yesterday I had to dig around one of my poles so I checked at ground level and lower to see how it was doing. I couldn't even dent it with a hammer. When I went to drive a couples of{20's} nails in they bent over. If there truely is some sort of blight could you post some info on it, thanks?

 

[DJ54]

The problem now is, unless you find posts that were cut last winter, the sap is coming back up in the trees, and those too will rot off in 10 years or so, also. If you're lucky enough to find someone with locust posts, there are quite a few portable band mills around, that will saw them for you.
Another good choice would be Osage Orange. If either have been allowed to cure for a year or so, predrilling nail holes, and some bee's wax on the nails sure make them drive a lot easier...
A toilet bowl ring gasket is a cheap source of bee's wax.

 

[ayelvington]

Check around to see if you have an Amish sawmill near you. I got mine for less than presure-treated from a local mill.

I agree with the longevity of the wood, and I like that it was cheaper, easier to come by (10' lengths), and the end cuts burn hot and long in the stove

 

[jas67]

The problem now is, unless you find posts that were cut last winter, the sap is coming back up in the trees, and those too will rot off in 10 years or so, also.

The seller advertising the locust has already cut the trees, he is milling them to order.

 

[MMagis]

theres a blight in locust trees, they won't last when used as post like they did years ago. save yourself a big headache and use treated posts. locust will rot out in 5 years.

Wow, talk about an exaggeration. A good solid post will still last just fine.

 

[Haoleguy]

Over the past few months I have been looking and checking on black locust in the New England area but with no luck. Just very recently I found that these could not be grown in my state of Connecticut as it is listed as a banned invasive plant. Would still like to find 6"round posts in 10ft lengths south of here so that I can build a perimeter deer fence of several thousand feet. Any connections to saw mills from posters in this thread are extremely appreciated....Cheers, Gary

 

[Gittyup]

Not sure how far you are willing to travel, but there is a company about an hour south of Gettysburg, called "Rustic Fence" that sells split rail locust posts. I used them and they are nice. They might deliver to northern Carroll County MD, to the PA line: 4104421387

 

[20 20]

Over the past few months I have been looking and checking on black locust in the New England area but with no luck. Just very recently I found that these could not be grown in my state of Connecticut as it is listed as a banned invasive plant. Would still like to find 6"round posts in 10ft lengths south of here so that I can build a perimeter deer fence of several thousand feet. Any connections to saw mills from posters in this thread are extremely appreciated....Cheers, Gary

Would this be something you're looking for?


Date: 2010-04-15, 12:26PM EDT
Reply to: sale-metke-1693475823@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

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Black Locust Posts

I have fence and gate post sizes available.
Fence posts will come in wholes, halves and quarters.
They will cost from $2-$3 each, depending on the size (up to 3" or so) and length (6' is normal) you buy.

Gate posts can be practically any size you want. I have them 6" on up to 10"
or even bigger. As long as 10 feet.
They'll range from $8-$20 each.

I also can make split rails. I'll only cut these to your order. Price will depend.

This is a great wood for fences. It lasts forever. Its lifespan is measured in decades,
not years.

It's been given a natural preservative, and won't leach out any nasty chemicals
over the next 50-60 years.

It doesn't grow as straight as other trees, and it won't look as good,
but it will outlast almost anything available.

You can contact me at the above email link, or you can try my cell at (518) 301-9171.

Thanks, Bill

 

[JEH412]

I need to build a section of picket fence, and want to use locust 4x4's for the corners and gate posts. ...
Any ideas on where to get these? In in South-Central PA, near Hershey.

Thanks,
Jay

Michael's saw mill in Greenpoint, in northern Lebanon County, sells locust. Marshall's Wood Products, along Rt 22 near Grantville, may have locust but I'm not sure. If they don't, they can probably point you in the right direction. They're good people. I buy most of my hardwoods from them.
John

 

[jas67]

Michael's saw mill in Greenpoint, in northern Lebanon County, sells locust. Marshall's Wood Products, along Rt 22 near Grantville, may have locust but I'm not sure. If they don't, they can probably point you in the right direction. They're good people. I buy most of my hardwoods from them.
John

Thanks! I'll check 'em out.

 

[JEH412]

Just saw this post on Harrisburg Craigslist 4x4 Locust posts
John

 

[jas67]

Just saw this post on Harrisburg Craigslist 4x4 Locust posts
John

Thanks -- I saw it too. I'll be contacting the seller.

 

[RickB]

Over the past few months I have been looking and checking on black locust in the New England area but with no luck. Just very recently I found that these could not be grown in my state of Connecticut as it is listed as a banned invasive plant. Would still like to find 6"round posts in 10ft lengths south of here so that I can build a perimeter deer fence of several thousand feet. Any connections to saw mills from posters in this thread are extremely appreciated....Cheers, Gary

The combined level of arrogance and ignorance required by CT to ban a species indiginous to the Northeast is amazing. Is that actually true?

 

[Haoleguy]

The combined level of arrogance and ignorance required by CT to ban a species indiginous to the Northeast is amazing. Is that actually true?

Here's the list......http://www.hort.uconn.edu/cipwg/pdfs/invplantsCT09commonname.pdf ...Doesn't mean I can't be in possession of a dead black locust.....Gary