On Wed, 14 Sep 2011 09:19:29 -0400, (MICHELLE H.) wrote:

Just a quick question about installing fence posts. We would like to
have a 6 foot high, Cedar wooden stockade fence installed in our yard.
My question is, when putting in the fence posts for the wooden fence, do
the fence posts HAVE to be set in concrete? I know that most fence
companies do set the fence posts in concrete, about 2-3 feet below the
frost line.

Like all things, it depends. How far down is your frost line? If it's 7-8',
it's unlikely *anyone* will put fence posts down 2-3' further. What sort of
soil. In sand, I'd use concrete. In clay, not so much.

I have read many mixed reviews about setting posts in concrete, because
when the posts rot out, it is a backbreaking effort to replace them
because you have to dig out and lift up the heavy concrete.

To prevent them from rotting, put gravel (drainage) at the bottom of the hole.
Leave the posts in 4-6" of the gravel. This will tend to keep the end of the
post from sucking up water. You might want to seal the ends, too.

Replacing posts is an issue. There are some tricks that should make that a
non-issue, though. Such as: use board braced against the post and at an angle
to the ground. Then tie a line to the base of the post, up over this
diagonal, to a come along (or 4WD truck). Pull. The diagonal board causes
the post to be lifted, more or less, straight up, out of the ground.

If the posts aren't going down below the frost line, put them in sonatubes
backfilled with gravel. This will tend to keep the frost from heaving them
(actually, it'll let them settle back after).

I have read, as well as heard from people, that it's actually better to
put the posts in a couple inches of 1 and 1/2 inch crushed rock or
gravel.

At the bottoms, to prevent rot. You still need several feet of post in the
ground to keep them plumb.

So, do you have to have the posts put in concrete, or can we opt. to go
with the crushed rock or gravel?

Gravel isn't going to work. Crushed rock?