__ Bob __ wrote:

Hardie Panel or Hardie Plank both are heavy paper coated with
cement. When they are in long term contact with moisture, they will
fall apart.

WRONG .. .. .. I've seen samples of Hardie product sealed in a block
of Lucite filled with water .. .. there was absolutely no evidence
that the material was in any way affected. This is/was, in fact one
of their main selling points.
Put any Hardie product in direct contact with dirt where rain falls on
it, and TRY to pick it up two years later.