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.