Hazel for fence posts.

[Stereo]

I need to clear an area of over stood hazel coppice which has some nice straight bits. I also need 30 or so 6ft fence posts which will last 2 years. I can get these from the coppice or buy in new softwood junk. If I make posts from the hazel, how long before they snap off at ground level?

[agg221]

If you use stuff about 3" then I find it lasts about 3-4yrs so long as there isn't too much stress on it.

 

Alec

[ShooTa]

cleave it do not saw it and it will last 2x as long (if not more)

soak ends in a barrel of wood preserver for 2 weeks before putting into the ground

OR cover with tar OR burn (lightly charred)

[Chippy]

If you have some nice straight bits for stick making I would be interested in some

[Peasgood]

I don't know how long the hazel will last but the bought in softwood posts seem to only last 2 years anyway.

 

We cut a load of Leyland posts would you believe. These were 4-6" round and cut straight from growing trees. We cut a point onto them with a chainsaw and knocked them into the ground as supports for a raspberry plantation (just over 1 acre).

The posts lasted longer than the raspberries did!

 

I doubt you believe me because unless I had seen it for myself I wouldn't either.

[se7enthdevil]

We cut a load of Leyland posts would you believe. These were 4-6" round and cut straight from growing trees. We cut a point onto them with a chainsaw and knocked them into the ground as supports for a raspberry plantation (just over 1 acre).

The posts lasted longer than the raspberries did!

 

I doubt you believe me because unless I had seen it for myself I wouldn't either.

 

doesnt supprise me. most people pooh pooh using softwood posts but things like leylandii do very well with no preservative.

 

i still think you can beat a recycled greenheart pile though as they will last 30 years plus...

[Daniël Bos]

They may (just) last the two years, but cannot be relied on for any longer than that.

Charring the ends (bundle a load up, points all together, and hold them in a fire or big blowtorch until they are starting to burn, the layer of carbon will slow the decay considerably) may buy another two years.

 

What are you fencing and why for only two years?

[Stereo]

Thanks for the tips. I'm dividing up a chicken run into smaller pens for breeding pure breeds. The electric net run is 40m x 10m at the mo so I plan to put 3 x 10m fences across to divide into 4 10 x 10 runs. They need to be 6' or so to stop the birds thinking they can fly over or roost on them. So I need 20 or so posts and don't want to spend out on rubbish when I have loads of timber here. It's all temporary in nature and plans may change in a couple years so I'm not fussed about longevity other than wasting my money. I figured once they have served their purpose, I may be able to lop them off at the ground and dry them for firewood.

[agg221]

I would have thought they would be fine for that.

 

Alec