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Thomas M · Guest

ground contact posts

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I'm preparing to build some Japanese-style foot bridges and am trying to figure out the best choice for the support posts. I'll be building from a rough sketch that shows a pair of 8" diameter posts set in the ground about 30" apart supporting a 3" diameter cross member that in turn supports walk planks that lead to the next set of posts etc. I wondered if you all had any ideas on what material I could/should use for the posts. They need to be round and 8" diameter and will be in contact with the soil.
I've thought of treated utility poles though those will mostly be too thick I believe. I've also considered cedar posts which are fairly common in my area - but how rot resistant are they really? I also wondered if white oak would be advisable.
Thanks for any comments,
Thomas

Chad Fabry · Guest

Re: ground contact posts

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locust or white oak are both very rot resistant, red cedar is an altenative. Pressure treated probably remains the best choice.

ARKe · Guest

Re: ground contact posts

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How about IPE? That stuff should last forever and a day in contact.

Aaron

Joe Wood · Guest

Re: ground contact posts

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Whatever you use, it wouldn't hurt to stand the post in a bucket 5" deep with Jasco Termin8 for 15 minutes like you can see this post in the foreground.

Thomas M · Guest

Re: ground contact posts

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Thanks for the input.

A separate but related question comes to mind. Pressure Treated pine should last how many years when it is in contact w/ ground and there is no supplemental end-cut treatment?

It seems common practice in my area to bury treated posts for decks and such in the concrete footing. I'm swearing off the practice but I'm still curious about life expectancy figure. 15 Years? 20? I realize there are innumerable variables here.

ARKe · Guest

Re: ground contact posts

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I think they are rated for forty years of ground contact. That might be only the landscape timbers though.

Aaron