Elm gate post

[edwood]

Alright guys, just wondering on elms properties in relation to a gate post, will it rot quick on the end stuck in the ground? How about if I treat it and stick it in a bag? Cheers, ed

[treesrus]

elm is not durable untreated outdoors, i've just used some elm as corner posts for a shed, 3 coats of wood preserver, and 3 coats of decking oil. i'll let you know if it works as soon as my shed falls over.

[TonyIOM]

Hi, this information is courtesy of scottishwood.co.uk

 

"Elm will last almost indefinitely when placed in water or below ground level (although it is not durable at ground level). "

 

Of course I'm not sure that this also applies to English elm as we all know Scottish wood is tougher and harder than English wood

[Woodworks]

Elm is very prone to woodworm in my experience.

[se7enthdevil]

as said before, elm is not durable and is to pretty a timber to be used as gatepost in my opinion.

 

use on that is more durable.

 

this chart should help. you want something that is either class 1 or 2 durable if it is to be a gate post.

 

 

.

[Forest2Furniture]

I'd use sweet chestnut instead of elm but then again if elm is all you've got!

[Mike Black]

Wych Elm water-pipe. Excavated in Edinburgh.

[devon TWiG]

I believe that Venice is built on Elm piles , and they have been there a very long time !! however they are totally immersed in water , effectively anaerobic conditions and therefore very slow to decay , however in use as a gate post I pretty sure it will not last long .

[se7enthdevil]

any timber left in anaerobic conditions will last for thousands of years. they often find bog pine along with the oaks and you'd expect that to be the first to rot but there is no oxygen to facilitate it.

[Stompy]

Isn't 'Bog Oak' a generic term for all timbers sourced from the ground or rivers..... doesn't actually have to be Oak??