Alder Rails

[liamjordan]

Is alder any good for milled fencing rails?

 

Got a patch in one of our fields that i planted up with trees last year and the horses have started to get in there eating the tops on a few trees, i want to put a cheap post and rail fence round there. After those strong winds at the weekend theres a few alder trees down, and theres some that have been down a while, theres enough to mill up to get the rails i need, more or lees.

 

What would this timber be like for this use?

 

cheers guys

[Chris Gagen]

round wood with the bark still on wont last only a couple of years, not sure how sawn rails would fare, the timber lasts very well when in contact with water, but i would say you'd be better off keeping the alder for firewood and finding some sweet chestnut for you fences...

[Cracker]

Is alder any good for milled fencing rails?

 

Got a patch in one of our fields that i planted up with trees last year and the horses have started to get in there eating the tops on a few trees, i want to put a cheap post and rail fence round there. After those strong winds at the weekend theres a few alder trees down, and theres some that have been down a while, theres enough to mill up to get the rails i need, more or lees.

 

What would this timber be like for this use?

 

cheers guys

 

I wouldn't bother with it. Alder is good either permanently wet or permanently dry. The posts will rot a ground level first, within two or three years.

[liamjordan]

round wood with the bark still on wont last only a couple of years, not sure how sawn rails would fare, the timber lasts very well when in contact with water, but i would say you'd be better off keeping the alder for firewood and finding some sweet chestnut for you fences...

to be honest a couple of years wouldnt be too bad, it will only be to stop the horses gettin the trees while they grow, wire is a no no

 

I wouldn't bother with it. Alder is good either permanently wet or permanently dry. The posts will rot a ground level first, within two or three years.

havent got enough for posts thats why i said rails. Was planning on using treated softwood rounds, like we normally use for post and rail fencing

 

been fencing all day with sweet chestnut and its great stuff! just havent got access to much of it