Long lasting fence posts (FG2 grant)

DefenderDave

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Shropshire
We have a large amount of fencing to do under the countryside strewardship FG2 grant. This states that;

Use softwood timber that is fully peeled, coated with wood preservative and pressure treated, or treated with an approved preservative - untreated durable timber can be used as set out in the Forestry Commission guide to forest fencing.

I presume this means we can’t use creosote posts? And if not what are the longest lasting posts you can use which comply with this grant?
 

Filthyfarmer

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Hertfordshire
Spend the extra on creosote.
Still getting round the farm replacing the stakes from the first CSS funded fencing we did just after the arsenic ones were banned ( pre UC4 15yr treatment). Around 2 miles of deer fencing and 4 miles of stock fencing!!:mad:

Now all new runs are creosote and 15yr (probably useless guarantee) on patching up.
 

DefenderDave

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Shropshire
It’s wood preservative isn’t it? Why can’t you use it?? They’ve used them around here but think they’ve paid the extra cost for the better posts 🤔

Someone told me they wouldn’t allow creosote posts? That may of been wrong but I didn’t want to put 2km’s of fences up only to find we won’t be paid for them.
 

tepapa

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
North Wales
Someone told me they wouldn’t allow creosote posts? That may of been wrong but I didn’t want to put 2km’s of fences up only to find we won’t be paid for them.
Creosote is perfectly fine to use for the grant. Just make sure it's come from a reputable treatment plant. There are a lot of people selling "creosote" posts which won't necessarily be as good as other "creosote" posts.
 

tepapa

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
North Wales
I am replacing 10 year old creosote posts with the middles completely rotted out.
Please tell me where good one's come from?
Interesting, can you shed a bit more light on the situation.
Where where the posts from, size and how come centres are rotting out did you cut the tops? Or how did moisture get to the centre?
 
Interesting, can you shed a bit more light on the situation.
Where where the posts from, size and how come centres are rotting out did you cut the tops? Or how did moisture get to the centre?
Bought from a local supplier who advertises nationally, imported timber supposedly treated in Wales?
We have horizontal posts used in box struts which have rotted out.
I am burning posts on the fire which look the same as a rotted out telegraph pole, 3mm treated, then rotten.
75/100mm not cut off.
Tanalised ones of the same era, stood in oil and creosote are lasting longer.
Just pulled out some half round 3 in, at least 35 years old, not creo but good enough to put back in! WTF
 

Wellytrack

Member
Done scheme work here too. Spec is 1.8 meter UC4 posts and 2.4 Meter strainer.

Was also told creosoted post was ineligible.

cleared away some ditch that was fenced in 1962 by my father and grandfather. Wire is rotten but posts still sound.

oak posts, it's like they have turned to rock.
 

tepapa

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
North Wales
Bought from a local supplier who advertises nationally, imported timber supposedly treated in Wales?
We have horizontal posts used in box struts which have rotted out.
I am burning posts on the fire which look the same as a rotted out telegraph pole, 3mm treated, then rotten.
75/100mm not cut off.
Tanalised ones of the same era, stood in oil and creosote are lasting longer.
Just pulled out some half round 3 in, at least 35 years old, not creo but good enough to put back in! WTF
I Had an interesting conversation the other day.
Creosote is an umbrella term that covers 4 different products used to treat timber.
Coal tar, petroleum based( comes from refining oil) and two chemical/oil based manufactured products. They can all be sold as creosote legally but there is a massive difference in quality, the manufactured products are no better then tanalith. The type of timber,moisture and amount of chemical infused also plays a part.
Sounds like you go stung with some sh!t and royally shafted.
 
Last edited:
I Had an interesting conversation the other day.
Creosote is an umbrella term that covers 4 different products used to treat timber.
Coal tar, petroleum based( comes from refining oil) and two chemical/oil based manufactured products. They can all be sold as creosote legally but there is a massive difference in quality, the manufactured products are no better then tanalith. The type of timber,moistureand amount of chemical infused also plays a part.
Sounds like you go stung with some sh!t and royally shafted.
We had some superb stuff from one supplier and no hesitation going back for more two years later. The second.lot smell like heating oil instead of creosote and now they're white like fresh wood. Not holding my hopes up
 

tepapa

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
North Wales
We had some superb stuff from one supplier and no hesitation going back for more two years later. The second.lot smell like heating oil instead of creosote and now they're white like fresh wood. Not holding my hopes up
I'd have no faith in those posts either sorry. They're not the coal tar treated ones you want to be using. It'll be interesting to see how long they do last though.
 

Friesianfan

Member
Location
Cornwall
15 year ‘shield’ fencing after 5 years🙄
2324A522-EA31-4C90-BAA1-A62499F219F9.jpeg
 

Poorbuthappy

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Devon
Done scheme work here too. Spec is 1.8 meter UC4 posts and 2.4 Meter strainer.

Was also told creosoted post was ineligible.

cleared away some ditch that was fenced in 1962 by my father and grandfather. Wire is rotten but posts still sound.

oak posts, it's like they have turned to rock.
Is it a case of creosote is not allowed next to water courses, which may just be a open ditch beside a hedge?
 

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