Setting Fence Posts in water

[2manyrocks]

Yes, if it stays wet, it won't rot like it would rot if it repeatedly gets wet and dries out.

 

[bpattie]

I like JJ's idea of the bucket. I have also painted the below ground portions of poles with a tar before and that lasts forever. I helped a friend dig out some 15 year old post for a barn we moved and he had done the coating and it was still in tact.

 

[DJ54]

If you buy locust posts, ask the seller what time of year they were cut. The ones cut when the sap is down will last much longer.

I use the creosote treated posts. The ones we set on the home place in the mid 60's, other than a little surface weathering, are still good and solid.

In swails I have here, where the ground is wet like yours, in the early spring, I tamped limestone screenings in around them. That has been 10 years ago, and they are still good and solid.

Locust posts are great, and last a long time if cut at the right time of year. Also Osage Orange will last a great while. Although driving steeples in can be a bear, if they are seasoned properly, before setting..!!

 

[Eric_Phillips]

I have decided to coat the bottom of the post with some roofing tar. If nothing else it is a cheap make me feel good solution. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Ken45101]

Just set the post as you would your others. Posts will rot off quicker in drier ground than water soaked ground. Ever notice how long stumps last in man made lakes? There's less oxygen and therefore slower deterioration.

Yes, I've heard that logs can be stored long term under water for many years without rotting. In fact I've heard of recovery of 100 year old sunken logs in Michigan and Louisiana which where then sawn for lumber.

However, the wet/dry cycle is probably the worst. Setting a post in a capped pvc pipe or a bucket would probably hold water that ran down the post and would slightly evaporate over time, giving a good area for rot (damp, but exposed to air).

I really don't think you would have a serious problem since many areas have high water tables and almost all areas have dampness in the ground.

But if you can get black locust (not honey locust), that's the best. The old joke about how to tell if a locust post might be going bad: Put a flat rock on top of the post. Inspect the rock every couple of years. When the rock deteriorates, the post might be going bad ;-)

Ken