I read that the original split rail fences in New England used cedar posts that could last over 100 years.

Found it in an old book about historic farmsteads at my local library. It said they used Eastern Red Cedar because it's naturally rot-resistant, and some original posts from the 1800s are still standing today. Has anyone here ever worked with that type of wood on a modern job?

4 comments

4 Comments

anthonyrivera1mo ago

You sure that book wasn't talking about locust posts? I've seen old cedar rot out in wet ground way before a century. The heartwood resists, but the sapwood doesn't, and most posts have both.

jamesc791mo ago

Reminds me of my buddy's cedar fence rotting in five years.

robin89612d ago

Ngl, I used to be one of those guys who would swear cedar lasts forever cause my grandpa's fence posts were still standing after 40 years. But you're making a good point - I never really thought about the sapwood vs heartwood thing. Honestly, that explains a lot. I've seen brand new cedar posts rot out in damp soil in like 6-7 years, and I just figured the supplier sold me junk. But maybe it was all sapwood with barely any heartwood. Tbh you changed my mind on this one.

caseywalker1mo ago

Lol, sounds like that book was written by someone who's never actually had to dig out a rotten post. A hundred years my ass.