hemlock fence posts?

[Iron Mtn Scott]

Hello all.  I'd like to mill a bunch of hemlock into 6"x6" & 8"x8" timbers to be used as fence posts. Now I know, ideally cedar (I'm in the northwest) would be ideal but that's not what is stacked up in my yard to use. Just hemlock.  I hear conflicting reports on hemlock. Some say it is actually pretty decent for rot proof, others say not. The hemlocks I'm cutting up are all 26"-36" butt.  I was wondering if I cut these up, then coated the in ground section of each post with anchorseal, if that would help me get additional time out of these before rotting?  I'd like to also use this same hemlock in the form of 2"x6" to use as fence rails as well. This will be for a perimeter fence on an acreage. I haven't a clue what I could expect out of a 6x6 or a 8x8 hemlock post for life expectancy? I'd also like to do a few beam style retaining banks , 2' high or so, with hemlock 8x8's. Again, will I get 15-20 years or am I'm doomed right from the get go? 
If any of you have used hemlock posts or beams on or in the ground I'd really appreciate your 25 cents on the question.  As always, thanks to all who can offer an opinion. Best regards, Scott

[jcbrotz]

I am sorry you will not get 15-20 years no way unless you treat the ends in the ground you MAY get 5-10 years but that may be streching it, you will greatly extend the length of time you get if you insure that all water is drained away form the posts with lots of gravel. I know somebody thats headed for 20 years with pine posts in his polebarn but he soaked the posts in oil for a few weeks before planting them in lots of gravel. I am not sure I would do it but others have and had good luck. I would be on the lookout for locust or white oak if it were me. Best of luck and  :christmas:

Ancorseal will do you no good as far as rot resistance goes but your posts will not check :D

[Chuck White]

On "ground-contact", Hemlock will only last a few years at best unless it is treated.

Above ground, Hemlock will last pretty good, but spraying the fence with oil-based stain or other kind of wood preservative will extend the years for your fence.

Cedar, Red or White, or Locust will last a lot longer on ground-contact!

[GeneWengert-WoodDoc]

Some pieces of hemlock may last for quite a few years in a dry environment, but the question is more of one about loss risk.  If one or two posts fail and the fence has a gap, what is the potential loss?  If cattle get out and get hit by a car or stolen, the loss is very high.  In this case, hemlock would be a poor choice for fence posts, as you will likely see a few posts failing within 3-5 years.  For a fence that is mainly for show (beauty), the loss risk is quite small, so go for it, but keep some posts (dried) in reserve for replacement.

[GAB]

Iron Mtn Scott :
You might want to consider fresh willow.   The fresher the posts are, the more apt they are to sprout and then you will have a good post system.  Do not know what to use to attach the boards to them, but do not use copper nails.  Where I'm coming from is there was a fellow who used willow for fence posts in building a border fence in a swampy area and most of them grew giving him a permanent fence.
Happy Holidays to All,
Gerald

[hackberry jake]

I have seen posts where people sawed out their posts and took them to a treetment facility. Maybe you could look up the nearest treatment facility?

[SwampDonkey]

Hemlock is no better than spruce. Cedar if you want it to last and yellow cedar is even better than red.

[GeneWengert-WoodDoc]

Hemlock will not pressure treat without incising.  It is too impermeable.

[petefrom bearswamp]

Hey Doc,
You are up very early, Waiting for St Nick?
I sold a bunch of Hemlock to a guy about 10 years ago who was using it for an uncovered deck.
I cautioned him about the lack of durability to no avail.
Pete

[captain_crunch]

Hate to say this but cotton candy will outlast Hemlock in ground >:( >:( Have been toying with idea of cutting 6X6 and 4X4 posts and haveing them treated and selling them. Been told you can have Your material treated for considerable less than you can buy them at Big Box store

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

I know nothing about Hemlock.....but it sounds comparable to our Sweetgum. :-\

[hackberry jake]

I know nothing about Hemlock.....but it sounds comparable to our Sweetgum. :-\

I know nothing about hemlock either, but they say it's highly impermeable. I think a slice of sweet gum would make a good coffee filter.

[Iron Mtn Scott]

Hey & thx to all who have replied. Bummer about the Hemlock not being as good as I had been hoping for. The only local trees I've got around here are big hemlock. No locust, no oak, no cedar, no big fir. Predominately hardwoods, birch, alder, big leaf maple.  I think the area was logged off 50+ years ago and the big cedar & fir taken then.  Such a shame about the hemlock as it is a beautiful wood, really white, and not many knots. I suppose I'll use it for upright structural posts and beams that will be off the ground. But I can only build so many sheds etc on my property! HD sells pressure treated 4x6 at a screamin' deal, I guess that's what I'll do the posts out of. Around here, if your going to treat hemlock it has to be "pressure treated" to soak it up to be any good so a paint on is somewhat worthless. Now what on earth am I going to do with 20+,  25"-35" butt hemlocks? I don't even have a fireplace. Please don't suggest a bon fire, my wife has already made that suggestion and I'm darned I won't let her be right & win on this one!  haha.

[hackberry jake]

I use the round on two sides and flat on two sides treated "landscaper timbers" a lot for posts where I live. They are cheaper than treated 4x4s by quite a bit. Sounds like you are wanting something more substantial though.

[thecfarm]

I use and like hemlock. never heard it called that before hackberry.

[GeneWengert-WoodDoc]

It is very common to find that such large hemlock butt logs will be bacterially infected, which means they will be full of shake.  Such logs will have a funny odor, plus will have such a high moisture that they will sink rather than float.  They will also have wet wood pockets when dried.  For these reasons, it is rare to see much mature hemlock lumber in the marketplace...yields of good lumber are low...in most cases.

Note that all texts rate hemlock as being very low in natural decay resistance.

[Blue Sky]

forget hemlock for anything related to being in contact with the ground.  Make structural stuff out of it-2x4,2x6, 2x8, etc.  If you research a little in your area, you might find black locust trees, the absolute best choice for fence posts.  It grows in every state in the continental U.S of A. Locust is the only wood I produce now, either as a round post or a square one.

[jueston]

my wife has already made that suggestion and I'm darned I won't let her be right & win on this one!

it seems like everytime i make a statement like this, i end up doing exactly what the woman said in the end....  ;)

[captain_crunch]

unless eastern Hemlock is different than western it is used for indoor trin windows door jams indoor use only it is nice white wood and works easly but don't do weather worth a dang