Trees for Posts

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Rising2KRanch

Well-known member
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Apr 14, 2024
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Hackleburg, AL
I live in northern Alabama and have a ton of trees on the property, was considering cutting some down to use as posts for corners and h brackets. Only concern is if they’ll rot or be destroyed by insects. Seen a few posts in regards to this but just need clarification. Have oak, maple, cedar, pine, and some others out there. I know pine and cedar would be good but it’ll all be not pressure treated etc. So not sure if it all needs to be debarked first or if it can be just buried and go with it or if it’ll just rot in the year.
 
Rising2KRanch said:
I live in northern Alabama and have a ton of trees on the property, was considering cutting some down to use as posts for corners and h brackets. Only concern is if they'll rot or be destroyed by insects. Seen a few posts in regards to this but just need clarification. Have oak, maple, cedar, pine, and some others out there. I know pine and cedar would be good but it'll all be not pressure treated etc. So not sure if it all needs to be debarked first or if it can be just buried and go with it or if it'll just rot in the year.
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Cedar is the way to go. Pine rots pretty quickly. Around here, there are Cedar posts that have been in the ground for decades.
 
@kenny thomas is quite correct. I'll take it a step or 3 further. Pine is actually about your worst choice if untreated. Debarking is a very good idea and so is drying the posts before you 'plant' them. Your cedar that you mentioned is going to be one of the best posts you can use in this way. Two others which you did not mention but you may have are black locust and Osage Orange. Buth of which make for very good 'home grown' fence posts should you go that route.
 
Mark Reynolds said:
@kenny thomas is quite correct. I'll take it a step or 3 further. Pine is actually about your worst choice if untreated. Debarking is a very good idea and so is drying the posts before you 'plant' them. Your cedar that you mentioned is going to be one of the best posts you can use in this way. Two others which you did not mention but you may have are black locust and Osage Orange. Buth of which make for very good 'home grown' fence posts should you go that route.
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I don’t know what the other two look like so I’ll have to do some research on them to see if they are out here or not
 
Rising2KRanch said:
I don't know what the other two look like so I'll have to do some research on them to see if they are out here or not
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Look at the bark on these two trees. Those will be the most identifiable aspects. I'm 'guessing' but the leaves might 'leaf' you 'guessing'. 🙃 I hope everyone here likes puns.
 
Mark Reynolds said:
Look at the bark on these two trees. Those will be the most identifiable aspects. I'm 'guessing' but the leaves might 'leaf' you 'guessing'. 🙃 I hope everyone here likes puns.
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A note of what to expect with these two trees if you have them. Multiple chains for your chain saw or a good sharpening tool, time to sharpen the blades, and a couple bars of soap to wash your mouth out for all the cursing you will do at these posts as you prepare them for use. These woods are HARD.

Cut them to size and shape while they are green. They will pretty much be unworkable once dry. Staples will be 'challenging' as well once you start to string the wire.
 
 
I have been installing all cedar fence posts with green 4 wire. Cut all the posts from our property. Yes, a spare chain will help. Use good leather gloves, the sap is ridiculous. Set them in cement. Did not debark the posts.

Was told by our 80+yo neighbor they rot faster without bark. He showed me fence lines done years ago. Some started with and some without bark. I Couldn't tell the difference. He said "Exactly! Why waste your time skinning a tree to help mother nature break it down. But if you need to get out of the house, it comes off easier if the logs are dry."
 

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