Suitable wood for building a jetty?

[Sleeches]

Afternoon.

 

I need to put in a small jetty in my pond - nothing serious just a couple of posts in the water with some horizontals to the bank and filled in with planking/decking. I think I can live with some treated softwood beams for the horizontals and decking but I don't want the posts dissolving within a year or two. I am just going to ram them into the ground under the water.

 

I have access to chestnut and green oak poles but should I go for a treated softwood instead? There are no fish in the pond but would like to avoid preservative in the water if possible.

 

Anyone had experience of this kind of thing?

 

Thanks

[windfall]

I think Elm is recommended for under water uses...

 

 

---

I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?cdc0xv

[Brushcutter]

Elm would be my choice. Followed by a lump of Oak. I'd steer clear of treated softwood.

[nepia]

...or alder: isn't that what the neolithic piles found in the fenlands are made of?

[Luke Quenby]

Alder or Oak can be easier to get hold of than Elm, and as Nepia said has been found in peatbog and fenland excavations. Oak, Alder and S. Chestnut were used in the sweet track in Somerset.

 

British Museum - Section of the Sweet Track

[scottythepinetree]

Alder won't rot under water.

[agg221]

Are the posts crossing the waterline? If so, elm will rot out rapidly there. Oak or sweet chestnut would be better, or robinia would be best if you can find any.

 

Alec

[renewablejohn]

Why not keep it live with a couple of willow trunks sawn off to make a couple of pollards.

[Rob D]

I have some greenheart - most durable timber there is for under water.

 

What dimensions do you need?

[Mycoman]

Can't help with the timber, but I'm reminded of a story my dad told of his national service days as a Sapper. Giving a lesson on 'piles for piers', the sergeant-major said "...and I do not mean 'emerrhoids for the haristocracy."