Fence Posts

froggy · May 11, 2005

Here is a good review of fencing materials:

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/bse/442-131/442-131.html#L6

Cactus · May 11, 2005

( We tried tar on oak post and they rotted quicker, 3yrs. )

Oak will not last if it makes contact with the ground for very long.Red oak really rots fast in about 2 to 3 years when laying on the ground. In my area we use Locust posts and I have seen Locust posts that are 80 years old and still standing.
Locust also makes a good firewood.

Dachshund · May 11, 2005

Never had any luck with Locust around here. Put a couple of "seasoned" (2 years) in the ground last year and they developed a "bug" problem and turned to dust. I think I'll stick to Hedge.

Cactus · May 12, 2005

( Never had any luck with Locust around here )

Never ever heard of your problem around these parts,not disputing your word though....no hedge in this area. But our Locust will last for decades. A locust around here can lay on the ground for 5 to 6 years and not rot....they are as hard as a rock. There are different types of locusts in the USA..Like I say they have used locust here for years until the treated posts came along.But some people still use Locusts .
Fence posts

froggy · May 12, 2005

Good web site.

Dachshund · May 12, 2005

Dunno - we've got three different kinds of Locust on our farm. If you can season them indoors (and keep bugs outta them), then the wood is "rock hard" like you said. On the other hand, if bugs get to them, they're dust in a short time. Bugs don't bother them while the tree is still in the air, but cut it and away they go! Don't think it's the difference in Locust that makes it different, it's probably a difference in bugs! Some reason, they love the stuff! Lot of people use Black Locust for firewood. Neighbor cuts it up all year to sell . His "buyer" sets it out front of convenience stores in Omaha & Lincoln. Gets $4 for 6 little pieces. Neighbor makes $10,000+ profit a year, by just "piddlin". What ever works, I guess!

creeper · May 12, 2005

Locust isn't easily available here, I have been using treated pine round post.Thanks for posting the link earlier

Cactus · May 12, 2005

( it's probably a difference in bugs )

Thats interesting.....the bugs must like the taste of locust.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Is the hedgewood a hard wood ??? I never heard of hedgewood. I may have to find a couple hedgewood seedlings on line to plant in my yard for show and tell.

I would like to be able to sell my firewood and make the $$$$ you are talking....around here a good split full size pick up load can bring $40 a load + or - I have acres of hardwoods and lots of tops on the ground from my timbering activities.Just don't have enough time to do everything.....

Dachshund · May 12, 2005

Hedge is VERY hard wood that has small thorns on the branches (but not trunk) - if you cut it, the center is bright yellow. Some call it "Osage Orange". Don't have hedge trees in Ohio? I'll send you a couple, if you really want them! They can be a good shade tree, if you trim them up right. I've seen pictures of people who planted them 3'-4' apart and wove them together to make a living fence. Probably took awihle, but it was neat. I have a couple in the yard right now (and about 1000 in the pasture!). Also have a bunch of Locust and a Bizillion Cedar trees (MUST KILL....MUST KILL....).

Cactus · May 12, 2005

What kind of Cedars do you have ??? Do they get very big ???
I would be interested in the Hedge trees....

Jagmandave · May 12, 2005

I've got hedge trees too, although here in Kansas we called them hedgeapple trees, cause of the bight yellow green fruit (?) that drops off each fall. Anyone know what animal eats those? I find them on the ground in the spring well eaten. The thorns are long and slender and some of the sharpest I've even encountered, they really hurt if you stick one in your hand when you pick up a branch! The tree itself is actually a good shade tree, but oh those thorns............I cut all the low hanging branches off so I don't catch one in the face while on the tractor.

Dachshund · May 12, 2005

Got some that are probably 50' tall and 3' across at te base, but most are about 1 1/2' thick 30' tall nice shade spread.

Dachshund · May 12, 2005

Yup - Hedge apples! Rabbits and squirrels LOVE them! Deer will also eat them. Not every Hedge tree will have them though.

Jagmandave · May 12, 2005

Aren't those red cedars the ones that smell so good when you cut them open? I have just a few, but they don't seem particularly fast growing, mine are about 15 - 20 ft tall............

Jagmandave · May 12, 2005

Yeah, well I wish my hedgeaple trees didn't, cause I get a few thousand of them on the ground every fall! When you drive over them on the ZTR it really throws you around, of course the blades go right thru them. I think I remember reading that you can spray the trees with something and they won't bear fruit, but I think you have to do it every year......

rivulet · May 13, 2005

( I am pulling it all down and replacing it with HTP made by centaur. You should check it out. Its $135 for a 1320 rol and is tough as heck. )

How many HTP PolyPlus wires are you using for horses? Any top rail?

One said six or more, with the bottom two 12" apart so no hoofs would get caught up.

Another used three strands topped with a wood rail.

forgeblast · May 13, 2005

Any one have an idea on the proper way to sink a post into the ground.
i heard that putting 2b gravel in the bottom for drainage and surrounding the post with modified and tamping it down will hold a post better then concrete and it wont rot at the ground level.
I will be putting in 3 rail slip board fencing, with a redbrand no climb fencing on the inside to keep the dogs safe.
I live in NE penn. and the ground has rock. lots and lots of rock. I think that i can buy either 7 or 8 foot posts. Which would mean sinking them 2 or 3 foot. I am leaning towards the 7' because of the stone in the ground. its very difficult to go any further.
thanks
forgeblast

Dachshund · May 13, 2005

Wit your rock, you SHOULDN'T have drainage problems. We usually dig the hole a nd tamp the post it with dirt. We are using Hedge posts, so we don't worry about rotting. With treated posts, you might want a shovel full of gravel in the bottom and tamp tight.