Its also recomended that you stand the base of all fence posts in a bucket
of creosote for 48 hrs before putting them in concrete and drill a hole
above soil level at an angle downwards into which periodically you can add
creosote and fill with a cork
"Anne Wheeldon" wrote in message
...


In article , Chris Hogg
writes
What is the best way to stop wooden fence posts rotting below ground
level? My understanding is that keeping them out of contact with the
soil helps considerably (i.e. by setting them in concrete), but would
wrapping the bases in polythene make things better or worse (allowing
for some drainage at the base to let water out)?


You will be a millionaire if you can come up with the answer ;-)

Use biocide impregnated posts.
--
martin

I believe the problem isn't actually underground but at the point where
soil, post, air and the elements meet. If you bed the posts in cement (or
maybe concrete .. I'm not really an expert in this. I've just observed
others who are!) and build up a collar round the post sloping out towards
the soil down the post the rainwater runs off the wood = it doesn't rot.
Well it does ultimately, but it lasts a good deal longer than if you
don't.
Here in Edinburgh our posts have been in situ for over 10 years and there
is
no sign of rot - or even deterioration - at all.
Anne