"Organic" fencing???

[Andy Collins]

Never come across this before, been asked for the best idea to comply with organic regs for fencing set by the Soil Association. They can not be chemically treated, so my thinking is to use Sweet Chestnut. Any thoughts on larch or other? Long life of the fencing is an issue too.

[timtree81]

larch is a very good wood ,punches well above its weight

[Quickthorn]

Oak's another obvious one for the posts.

 

I think you could use less durable species for the rails: some "non-durable" timbers last a surprisingly long time if they're not touching the ground.

[Stephen Blair]

the 3 inches below the surface and above the surface always rots anyway Andy, even the treated stuff, if you get 10 years you are doing well i reckon. Plant a hedge instead mate lol

[David Riding]

Never come across this before, been asked for the best idea to comply with organic regs for fencing set by the Soil Association. They can not be chemically treated, so my thinking is to use Sweet Chestnut. Any thoughts on larch or other? Long life of the fencing is an issue too.

 

wonder if its possible to pressure treat with a none chemical oil, linseed or something similar???

[Andy Collins]

Keep em coming. Its not a job I have to do, tho I am involved in the tree side, but my client is seeking best advice. Hedge is out of the question, as the fence has to keep out rabbits, hares and deer.

[slack ma girdle]

Cleaving the wood, rather than sawing it will also increase the life of the fence, as the wood fibers are left in tact. Oiling it will help, but the wood will have to be seasoned or it will rot from within, as the moisture will not be able to escape.

For the ultimate organic fence, plant a hedge and then lay it 5-10 years later, as it is still alive you wont need to treat it with anything, and it will out live us all

[woodplans]

Andy, we sometimes coat treated timber with syntaprufe to ensure a longer lifespan. As Stevie mentioned the zone around ground level is the most important. You could try this on larch posts to aid longevity. You would have to check on its toxicity, I believe it is made from latex and bitumous resin, not sure if these are allowed under soil association rules.http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=25479&stc=1&d=1260731148

[Saw-sick Steve]

Never come across this before, been asked for the best idea to comply with organic regs for fencing set by the Soil Association. They can not be chemically treated, so my thinking is to use Sweet Chestnut. Any thoughts on larch or other? Long life of the fencing is an issue too.

 

Larch, (as i'm sure you know) comes in 3 main types. Japanese is poor for durability, Hybrid a bit better but variable depending on how it grew, and European which is far superior but hard to get now. It's what we use for classic boat building, i.e ' larch on oak' build, and the species everyone refers to when they cite Larch as being a durable timber.

Oak is good if you just use the heartwood, but as you've already suggested, Sweet Chestnut (cleved, for the posts at least) would be my choice - strong, easy to work and more durable than the crap that passes for tanalised these days.

[Mesterh]

Is beech ever used for fencing?

 

All I know is it goes rock hard when its seasoned for a bit.

 

I had a 1 foot square cube of it that I cut up in college(15 ish years now) and when I tried to split it the other year the axe just bounced of it.