Cedar trees for poles?

[farmer2009]

Commercially treated 4x4 posts last 25+ years. I used treated railroad ties for corner posts and as replacement for T-posts in the wet areas on the fence line and they are still rock solid after 32 years. I would sure give it a try - what do you have to loose? You can always replace those that rot out. The only problems with RR ties is - cost & weight.

I doubt the new environmentally friendly treatments last that long. The old stuff yea. Railroad ties here are in such bad shape if bought used I wouldn't want one for a leaning post much less a fence post. And still very expensive.

 

[EddieWalker]

My experience is that they don't last very long in the ground. I've seen where some people use them for fence posts and from what I've seen, there are some that seem to do well, while others rot out. I don't know what causes this, so I've decided not to use cedar in the ground anymore. Now I pour a concrete pad and place them on top of the concrete, above the dirt several inches. This lasts forever, but it's more work and effort.

If you want it to last and not have to do it again in ten years, I wouldn't take the chance.

Eddie

 

[riptides]

I have original cedar fence posts line still holding what is generations of barb wire on my farm. Circa 1920. I think with the type of ground soil make-up and weather conditions, YMMV.

 

[sixdogs]

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The only problems with RR ties is - cost & weight.

That's what I used to think but a few years ago I stumbled into a project and we found carpenter ants/termites/flying ants and whatever in a number of the railroad ties. Maybe this was an isolated event and maybe it wasn't but I don't need to introduce this kind of thing where it would be a disaster.

Sawing into logs, selling the select lumber for good money and using the proceeds to buy pressure treated works for me.

 

[Rio_Grande]

Think we will use them, if I get 5 years out of these I will be happy, just deer stands for my elderly dad, I still use ladder stands!