cutting locust for fence posts

[plat3]

When is the best time of the year to cut locust trees for fence posts? I'm in west central indiana. While I'm on the subject what is the best ratio of buried to exposed post? 1/3 buried?

Thanks

[Forerunner]

Dead of winter is best time. Sap is down.

I always bury at least half of my post. I hate a wobbly post.

[fantasymaker]

10% of pole height plus 2 feet is what the standard is for utility poles so its good enough for me.

[chestnut]

Any day but Sunday and 3ft deep is plenty. Also stripping the bark off is best, it allows the post to dry and prevents wood eating bugs from makeing a home under the bark.

[Rick]

Originally Posted by chestnut

Any day but Sunday and 3ft deep is plenty. Also stripping the bark off is best, it allows the post to dry and prevents wood eating bugs from makeing a home under the bark.

Strip the bark within 3 days and most will slide off.

We put 18 inches in the ground with 78 inches above for field fence and barbed wire to discourage cattle deer and small pests from getting in.

Posts need retamping but are quite strong, 6 to 10 inches wide.

[fishhead]

You might also consider scorching the portion of the post that is in the ground but it may not be necessary for locust. Be sure to tamp the bottom well. That's more important than the middle.

I've wondered if it would be possible to plant locust in a 3' x 3' grid to grow fence posts. That should make them grow straight. An acre of those should net a good price.

[meanwhile]

We peel off the bark in the section to be underground, bury it 3 feet IF we have left the log whole. When we split the log, for smaller posts, we buy it 2 feet...but usually we stick to the 3 feet. We also put a bag of dry cement mix in the hole. We leave the bark on the top part but it will peel off in time.

[springvalley]

You must peel the bark off. bugs will eat them and they rot faster if you dont. depends what the fence is for as far as how deep to plant them. a good 2 ft. will do in most cases. but 3 if they are to be corner posts and brace posts. me I like hedge better but is hard to get good straight post. you make it out of hedge you will never have to build it again.Thanks Marc