Cedar trees/posts

[Richard]

Been cleaning up the woods. My father in law made passing comment one day that maybe we should save/collect the cedar's and cut them into posts.

These cedars are maybe 18 inches diamater, down to 1 1/2 inch diamater. As I have probably already burned more than I should admit, what size paramaters would make a good size for a post? 3 inch diamater? 1 1/2 inch diamater? As we find these, what length would be a good length to then cut these?

If we to try to sell them, what kind of value might they have?

If I decide to do this, would the best way of doing it be to sort into say, 6 piles, sorted by diamater with all piles cut to same length?

What will happen, is we'll go through this process "in case we ever decide to do something with them" and of course, will never do anything with them!! /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif

Richard

 

[JeffRey30747]

The sapwood of cedar isn't very dense and consequently not very strong. Maybe it's overkill, but we always use cedar in the 5" to 6" diameter range for posts. This is usually corner posts that require more strength so you could probably go smaller for line posts without much of a problem.

 

[beenthere]

Which cedar are you talking about? Also, is there a local market for fence posts, in the sizes you are talking about? There are decorative cedar posts, with a limited market, and the bark mostly removed. Would this be something you are thinking about getting into?

 

[Richard]

What kind of length do you cut them to?

 

[Richard]

Have no clue about any local markets. I would not expect these to be decorative but am totally ignorant of this world. No way to remove bark either, simply collect or cut down as we clean up woods and stockpile somehow or another.

Personally, I fail to see any reason why we might WANT to do this, but since he has suggested it, I think I should at least find out about it some. I would be just as happy piling them up in the burn pile and getting rid of them along with the rest of the stuff I'm trying to burn.

We also have some locust trees, though not many. I understand that those make wonderful posts too and will last a long, long time before they rot.

Have I mentioned that I love fire? /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif

Richard

 

[heehaw]

if your talking about red cedar, like we have here in arkansas, the red part is the only part that won't rot; the sap wood, white part, rots pretty fast. if the cedar is grown in a low spot, it will have a lot of sap wood, if its grown up on a hill side, it usually has more red wood. when i buy cedar post, and its been a while, i look at how much heart/red wood is there. i've built several sheds with cedar poles, and they are all still standing, i put in treated post in @88 and most of them have rotted, some with concrete around the post and some without, so i don't know why..but the store i bought them from said they were not guaranteed as far as they knew..so i will use cedar or cresote, or locust if i can get them, from now on..
heehaw

 

[TerryinMD]

Richard,

Osage Orange and locust make the best posts.

With the locust, just strip off the bark, stick it into the ground and it will more than likely last longer than you!! /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

Terry

 

[JeffRey30747]

I typically allow about 24" in addition to the desired post height for setting it in the ground. Someone else mentioned local pricing. I seem to remember seeing a decorative ten foot two rail section (w/ one post only) go for about $40 to $50 in one of the local stores.

 

[cowboydoc]

Richard,
You would want the posts to be in widths 4", 5", and 6". That is the typical selling post. Most posts are 8' long but some are 7' long. I would separate them based on this and cut them accordingly. The widths can be give or take a little on each side and the length is pretty standard. You buy posts for $4-12 depending on the length and size. These posts are also treated where yours wouldn't be. I would think if they were the good cedar you should be able to get $3-6 or $7 for them.