Treated pine will last for a century or more. Locust might last for 20 years in a wet location; longer if dry. Treated pine may also be graded, so that you know the design strength. Certainly for ground contact, use treated pine.

How long do locust fence posts last?

Black locust can last 60 to 80 years. There are saw mills that will be happy to sell you sawn black locust posts. Looks as good as the pressure treated and lasts far longer. Most old timers debark the locust and lean them in a tipi style stack for a year to season before use.

How long does it take black locust to rot?

Black Locust, america’s environmentally friendly super tree Black Locust wood contains natural organic compounds that resist rot for 100 years or more, which makes these trees an extremely valuable and environmentally friendly tree.

Do locust posts rot?

Black locust makes great fence posts. I wouldn’t bother debarking, (but the bark will rot eventually) as the man rightly told you, just make sure your post is at least 5″ heartwood.

How long does black locust last?

It can last 150 years in the “clear shakes” form that people have used in roofing. There is a variety of the black locust that grows long straight timbers(ship mast stuff) and shingles can be cut from that. Or posts, which if sawn or rived could end up being free of heart(pith), and would likely last forever.

What is the best wood for fence post?

Best Wood for Fence Posts Softwoods such as pressure-treated pine are solid options for fence posts. Pine is comparatively cheap and is resistant to termites and other pests. Additionally, the third of the post buried below the ground doesn’t rot as quickly as other woods.

Is Locust good for ground contact?

Soil is shaly and well drained. Around here, mountain-grown black locust is prized for its longevity in contact with the ground.

How do you debark a locust post?

Re: locust post debarking The best way I have found to debark them is to place them on sawhorse and use a draw knife. It go pretty quick once you get the hang of it.

How much is locust wood worth?

Prices for these products range from $1 – $3 per linear foot for whole posts, and from $1.50 – $3.50/board foot for milled lumber, which is far above the prices for most conventional hardwood lumber.

Is Locust good for outdoor furniture?

Scratches, dents, and gouges are unlikely to show up on this rugged hardwood that measures 1,700 lb f on the Janka scale. Black locust is more labor-intensive to hand- and machine-cut than cypress, redwood, and cedar, so it might not the best wood for outdoor furniture that you plan to build yourself.

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Is locust wood a hardwood?

Black Locust wood is a hardwood with a Janka hardness scale of 1,700 lbf (7,560 N).

Are locust trees good firewood?

One lesser-known tree that makes great firewood is black locust. … Not surprisingly, the same density and durability that makes black locust good for fence posts also makes it among the best firewood trees.

Does Locust make good mulch?

It made for great living fence posts and produced an abundance of rich mulch material, all the while making the area fertile.

What trees are good for posts?

Whether for fence posts or pole barn supports there are three good choices for wood that will stay in contact with the ground: black locust, bodark (or bois d’arc), and cedar. Black locust is very hard, easy to split, but often grows crooked. Crooked doesn’t matter with fences, though.

What can locust wood be used for?

Common Uses: Fence posts, boatbuilding, flooring, furniture, mine timbers, railroad ties, turned objects, and veneer. Comments: Black Locust is a very hard and strong wood, competing with Hickory (Carya genus) as the strongest and stiffest domestic timber: but with more stability and rot resistance.

Is black locust good for decking?

Unlike the tropical hardwoods, Black Locust Lumber decking provides a much higher slip resistance than that of the more oily Ipe and other tropical hardwoods. This makes Black Locust decking an ideal choice around pools and docks which will assist in decreasing slip and fall hazards in those areas.

What is black locust good for?

Black locust wood is useful for lumber, paper pulp, posts, and fuel. This clone growing in Hungary is straighter than most trees in North America, where borer insects and heredity typically produce crooked trunks.

How do I keep my wooden fence post from rotting?

1. Set the wooden fence posts in a cool, dry area with plenty of air circulation so the wood can dry. …
2. Brush the bottom third or bottom half of the fence post with waterborne copper naphthenate, a wood preservative that is free of arsenic and chromium.

How long will a larch fence post last?

With a lifespan of over 20+ years, Siberian Larch is known to be one of the most durable and toughest softwoods available with that natural strength and resilience as part of its structure.

How long do wooden fence posts last?

While treated timber posts can last from anywhere between 10-15 years, untreated timber may need replacing in under 5 years. What’s more, rotting, splitting and warping (where the post expands upon water absorption) are all very common occurrences for wooden fence post systems.

Is black locust good for siding?

The natural properties of Black Locust brise soleil, rainscreens, and siding make them a cooler and healthier alternative to other materials. Black Locust will naturally shade the building structure and with its light color and ability to reduce solar gain.

Is black locust native to us?

Black locust is native to the United States, though the extent of its original range is not accurately known. … Plants Database provides a map of black locust’s distribution in North America. Black locust also occurs in parts of South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia (review by [340]).

Is black locust expensive?

But it’s worth it: Beyond the sustainability benefits, black locust is also cost-effective. In bulk, it’s $5.44 per square foot, while ipe is more than $7 per square foot.

Is honey locust good for fence post?

Honey locust wood is easily split, capable of obtaining a high luster finish, and is durable when in contact with soil. For these reasons, timber from honey locust has been used as fence posts, railroad ties, furniture, warehouse or shipping pallets, tool handles and fuel.

How do you remove black locust bark?

– Using a draw knife is generally the most straightforward way to remove bark, but an axe or pulaski can work as well. Even a shovel can be used to pry bark loose. Bark spuds, though less common, can work well on freshly fallen trees. – Remove as much of the bark as possible, down to the actual wood.

When should I cut my locusts?

I say anytime as long as you let it cure long enough. I know some people that cut Locust in the spring only to have them sprout, die and rot with in a few years. We have some locust post I know of that have been in the ground (wet and dry) for 50 years.

What is a locust fence?

The split rail post & rail fence has been a popular fence style since the early settlers came to America. Black locust is the hardest wood available and will outlast any other wood on the market, making this fence a perfect addition to your property. …

Does Mulberry make good fence posts?

Re: Black Locust and Mulberry Questions Both species are rot resistant, although not as much as hedge. We have used both for fence posts and for pole barns. If they are large trees, the lumber out of them is good for trailer flooring or other uses where treated lumber is used.

What wood lasts the longest outdoors?

So Which Wood Type Lasts the Longest Outdoors? The general consensus is for hardwoods, such as ipe and teak. Since these species are extremely rot-resistant and durable, they have the best chance at a long life outdoors.

Does black locust wood warp?

Black locust from small trees will warp. Lumber from large locust trees will not warp as much, but large trees are not common. With a large tree, the lumber will have to be edged to eliminate the sapwood, so that will not result in very wide pieces. Black locust is also hard to saw because the wood is so dense.

What is the best weather resistant wood?

Cypress, one of the most durable weather resistant woods, is known as “the eternal wood”. It has a natural oil called cypress that repels insects and prevents rot.