Phil L wrote:
Tim Downie wrote:
I'm in the process of taking down a hedge and putting up a new fence
and I've found that in some areas, the ground is waterlogged to
within a couple of inches of the surface.

The plan was for a ranch style fence with 4"x4" tanalised posts at 6'
intervals and I'm wondering what's the best way to set the posts to
give them the greatest longevity.


What kind of longevity are you expecting in waterlogged ground? - I
estimate 5 years maximum,

Hmm.., this was my "worse case scenario". I was hoping for nearer 10. I
grant you 3x3 inch posts wouldn't last long but I was hopeful that 4x4 would
do a bit better than that.

and I don't believe the 'tannalised' part
makes much difference - you may get up to 7 or 8 years, provided you
soak the last 18 inches in creosote for a few days prior to planting
- this isn't as hard or complicated as it sounds - you need a length
of 100mm plastic pipe with a stop end, a plastic bag that fits inside
it and a few gallon of creosote (creosote substitute now, but it's
basically the same stuff). Fit bag inside pipe, stand in one post, fill to
top with creosote and
leave for 48 hours - if the stop end of the pipe is watertight you
can do away with the bag.

Given that they're bound to need replacing at some point, should I be
thinking about making them *easy* to remove (by, i.e. setting them in
gravel) or are there other things I should be considering.


Lean mix concrete might be better, IE 10 gravel, 6 sand, 1 cement -
just something that won't wash away, but will be easily broken up
when the need arises - it will also allow water through, which is
important with wood - it's the cracks which appear in hard concrete
around the base of the shrunken timber which hold water and cause end
rot - soft, gravelly concrete eliminates this but still adds mass to
the bottom of the post for stability, also, mix it completely dry -
no water at all.

Thanks. I might well give the creosote a try (and your cement mix)

Tim