Comments on: Does a redwood post have to be surrounded by rocks or concrete? http://bird-bath.net/does-a-redwood-post-have-to-be-surrounded-by-rocks-or-concrete/374/ Fri, 13 May 2011 05:36:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: lostinyonkers http://bird-bath.net/does-a-redwood-post-have-to-be-surrounded-by-rocks-or-concrete/374/comment-page-1/#comment-2058 lostinyonkers Mon, 24 May 2010 07:49:09 +0000 http://bird-bath.net/does-a-redwood-post-have-to-be-surrounded-by-rocks-or-concrete/374/#comment-2058 I would set the post with the dirt you took out of the hole, the rocks would let it lean and the concrete makes it hold moisture which will rot the post, did you stain the very ends of the posts, if not you should . I would set the post with the dirt you took out of the hole, the rocks would let it lean and the concrete makes it hold moisture which will rot the post, did you stain the very ends of the posts, if not you should .

]]> By: DIY Doc http://bird-bath.net/does-a-redwood-post-have-to-be-surrounded-by-rocks-or-concrete/374/comment-page-1/#comment-2057 DIY Doc Mon, 24 May 2010 07:21:58 +0000 http://bird-bath.net/does-a-redwood-post-have-to-be-surrounded-by-rocks-or-concrete/374/#comment-2057 No offense and forgive me, are these BIRDS going to be Eagles? 8 x 8 is pretty substantial. Actually though, in my opinion, it has less to do with the species of wood than the depth of the hole and the general stability of the soil. I would think for your application, 36 inches would be sufficient. Your already bringing the top of the post down to 5 ft. above ground level. Any deeper would just lower the top, too close to ground level, perhaps inviting other critters, which may happen in any case. Redwood being one of the most durable species, with old growth cypress close, it really is a personal choice. Obvioulsy if the soil allows adequate drainage, and you use gravel or river rock to bottom the post and fill around it, perhaps even tamping; It's likely to last longer. I don't see any real need to concrete the post into the hole however, given any possible load or stress on an 8 x 8 post. Steven Wolf Just my two "sense" No offense but Redwood is a Conifer, not strictly a HARD wood. It produces PODS/CONES, not seeds. No offense and forgive me, are these BIRDS going to be Eagles? 8 x 8 is pretty substantial.

Actually though, in my opinion, it has less to do with the species of wood than the depth of the hole and the general stability of the soil.

I would think for your application, 36 inches would be sufficient. Your already bringing the top of the post down to 5 ft. above ground level. Any deeper would just lower the top, too close to ground level, perhaps inviting other critters, which may happen in any case.

Redwood being one of the most durable species, with old growth cypress close, it really is a personal choice. Obvioulsy if the soil allows adequate drainage, and you use gravel or river rock to bottom the post and fill around it, perhaps even tamping; It’s likely to last longer. I don’t see any real need to concrete the post into the hole however, given any possible load or stress on an 8 x 8 post.

Steven Wolf
Just my two “sense”

No offense but Redwood is a Conifer, not strictly a HARD wood. It produces PODS/CONES, not seeds.

]]> By: Mr. Mole http://bird-bath.net/does-a-redwood-post-have-to-be-surrounded-by-rocks-or-concrete/374/comment-page-1/#comment-2056 Mr. Mole Mon, 24 May 2010 06:26:57 +0000 http://bird-bath.net/does-a-redwood-post-have-to-be-surrounded-by-rocks-or-concrete/374/#comment-2056 Redwood is hard wood, so even if you put this post in the ground without a protective coating, it would last you for at least 20 years. It seems to me that you intend putting considerable weight on it later, for that your post needs to be stable, so yes, 3 feet deep, lots of smallish stones well rammed in should be fine. Posts do not break below ground, the rot occurs at ground level, so if anything, this is really where it needs protecting to about 6" above Redwood is hard wood, so even if you put this post in the ground without a protective coating, it would last you for at least 20 years. It seems to me that you intend putting considerable weight on it later, for that your post needs to be stable, so yes, 3 feet deep, lots of smallish stones well rammed in should be fine. Posts do not break below ground, the rot occurs at ground level, so if anything, this is really where it needs protecting to about 6″ above

]]> By: John F http://bird-bath.net/does-a-redwood-post-have-to-be-surrounded-by-rocks-or-concrete/374/comment-page-1/#comment-2055 John F Mon, 24 May 2010 06:24:37 +0000 http://bird-bath.net/does-a-redwood-post-have-to-be-surrounded-by-rocks-or-concrete/374/#comment-2055 The best thing to do in your scituation is to suround the post with rocks., Cement holds moisture and will eventually rot the pole The best thing to do in your scituation is to suround the post with rocks., Cement holds moisture and will eventually rot the pole

]]> By: moon j http://bird-bath.net/does-a-redwood-post-have-to-be-surrounded-by-rocks-or-concrete/374/comment-page-1/#comment-2054 moon j Mon, 24 May 2010 05:53:58 +0000 http://bird-bath.net/does-a-redwood-post-have-to-be-surrounded-by-rocks-or-concrete/374/#comment-2054 If it was me and I only want to use it for a bird house. The 3' depth is OK. Just stuff it with pepples and rocks so if I want to remove it the future, I can. U can also fill it back with the dirt u dug out. If it was me and I only want to use it for a bird house. The 3′ depth is OK. Just stuff it with pepples and rocks so if I want to remove it the future, I can. U can also fill it back with the dirt u dug out.

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