fence post questions

[homstedinmyhead]

Has anyone used eastern hemlock for fence posts?
will they last awhile?
Is it ok to put the posts in the ground green or should they be cured first?
Does the bark need to be removed?

[TnTnTn]

I have never used any hemlock for fence posts and wouldn't. Don't think they would last more than a year or two and then your labor and materials are for nought. Don't know where you are but around here black locust, post oak, osage orange, mulberry, red cedar, or split rail oak makes the best and most durable. Always remove the bark from any species before putting it in the ground. TTT

[Vickie44]

We use cedar here ~ Vickie

[Harry Chickpea]

Historically, a lot of dams in that area were made with hemlock timber and planking. Kept underwater, the planking could last for a hundred years or more. I suspect the limiting factor on fence posts would be insects.

[Ramblin Wreck]

I use red cedar near water sources, and treated posts/cross ties in other areas. Locust is probably best, but it is not native to my area. All the post oaks around here have pretty much been harvested.

[texican]

Aren't hemlock trees half rotten even when they're alive? Only experience is with the western version....

If the trees are standing where your fence line is going to be, nail the wire to the tree.

If you 'do' decide to go with a rot resistant species, as an experiment, nail a piece of wire to one of your hemlocks, and also cut some and posthole em... just to see if they would last more'n a year or two. And, come back and post your results. {just in case I ever find myself where there's bookoodles of e hemlock!}

Using a resource that's free, but isn't appropriate, is a losing game... the labor and replacement costs would be high....

[homstedinmyhead]

Yeah I guess I kind of knew they weren't suitable.
All I have growing here in quantity is cherry, maple, and hemlock.
I might have to bite the bullet and pay 1500 dollars for posts.
thanks all for responding to my ignant question

[nc_mtn]

From what I've used, it's great up off ground but my post only lasted 3-4 years before my little kids broke them over while climbing on the fence. The boards I nailed to them were still solid, just broke @ ground

[texican]

Pretty much all wood will last for ages, if kept out of the ground and away from moisture... course, those are some mighty big 'ifs'.