fence post strength...

[Catersun]

Is there a difference in the strength of square vs round fence posts? Drawback or benefits of both.... and to tar or not to tar the bottom of the post that is going in the ground.

[2DogsFarm]

Is there a difference in the strength of square vs round fence posts? Drawback or benefits of both.... and to tar or not to tar the bottom of the post that is going in the ground.

Can't help you on the square vs round (mine are round) debate.
But IMO tarring below ground will just mean the post rots at groundlevel.
Are you using pressure-treated posts?

[greysandbays]

Wood posts have so many drawbacks, I'd say I'd prefer the square -- only because it gives a better surface to nail/screw boards onto. Actually, if it was feasible, I might want half-rounds -- nice curved surface on the backside, nice flat side on the front.

[CatOnLap]

I'm surprised our resident engineer hasn't chimed in.

strength is proportional to minimum cross sectional diameter. So a 4 inch square post is as strong as a 4 inch round one. The extra corners don't help much, but they look nicer, cost more and are easier to work with.

[horsetales]

I can tell you round posts with coated wire can take a mid-size Kubota sliding down a hill into them :eek: (ice was involved)

[Catersun]

I can tell you round posts with coated wire can take a mid-size Kubota sliding down a hill into them :eek: (ice was involved)

lol that is good to know... even though we don't have ice or hills here lol :) I'm comparing prices and pondering what I want to use.. Yes to the treated question.

[dmalbone]

We're using round, treated wood posts. I don't know if square is better for some reason, but I knew that round were good enough and you don't have to make sure they're PERFECTLY faced like square ones. We're using coated wire and centaur "spur" and there's no problem attaching that to round posts.

[mybeau1999]

We just fenced 2 fields with round pressured treated pine posts.
I like the round ones because they don't have to be perfectly in line to have the flat side just right for nailing boards to. Ours look like a perfect line, but some are off a little, but it was still easy to nail to.

[BasqueMom]

I've been told round ones are stronger--it has something to do with the growth rings.
And if one is not exactly in line, it's not as noticable. The faced partially round ones
look nice but you loose a good section of the post for that look.

If you're going to tar the ends, tar up a little higher so that it's above ground.

[talloaks]

We just had one of our 10 acre fields refenced, finished yesterday, and used half rounds and 3 board fencing. The posts are treated pine and the boards are oak. All are painted black. This was the second time the field was fenced--first one last close to 30 years!!

[Catersun]

Julie.. you may be the one to ask... but what is the preferred diameter for the pine posts? I'm looking at 4 inch and 3 inch are readily avaiable. I don't have anyone that is hard on fences currently, and I plan on two strands of hot wire round the top 6 inches apart to increase the fence's hmmm respect? Both human(neighbors) and equine. The fence will be 48in no climb woven wire (the 2x4 holes) with two strands of either electric tape or rope round the top to even the height out to 5 feet with decent visiblity.

[LLDM]

I have come to hate square posts with a passion. The corners break off, they rot behind the nailed on boards and they warp and twist. I'll never do squares again.

Our latest fencing uses 5 inch rounds and it looks great a nd feels solid. Ask me again in twenty years. Oh, our square post fields are 13 and 9 years old respectively.

JMHO

SCFarm

[BasqueMom]

Caterun--I'd recommend a minimum of 4-inches. There is a certain amount of tension
on the non-climb. You might check the non-climb manufacturer's directions for what
they recommend.

[BasqueMom]

Catersun,

Drove by a customers' Centaur installation tonight--we were in the area and although
they have moved (think they had to get unretired--sad), we wanted to see the fence.
Looks like he used 3-inch square posts (hope they weren't landscape timbers) but some
of the posts were warping after just a couple of years and they were painted. Since an unaltered pitt bull came down the driveway to check us out, I didn't get of the car to go check up close.

[Catersun]

Basquemom-

Thanks! can you tell me more about those tpost covers on your website? I really like the idea of using those over tposts to divide the pastures.

[MintHillFarm]

We're using round, treated wood posts. I don't know if square is better for some reason, but I knew that round were good enough and you don't have to make sure they're PERFECTLY faced like square ones. We're using coated wire and centaur "spur" and there's no problem attaching that to round posts.

I have the half round treated posts, 6", and 3 board pine, with battons and a hot wire on top. The difference was many $ between the pine and the oak boards.

All the posts on the farms I have visited in KY (Three Chimneys, Gainesway, Gainsborough etc) are round or 1/2round... I think it looks better myself.

I know cost is always a factor, it was with me, but I would strongly suggest NOT to go with 3 or 4" size if you can avoid it on the posts. They will bend or warp and if you need to do an occassional board repair, your usable surface is greatly diminished and may compromise the strength...

[talloaks]

I have the half round treated posts, 6", and 3 board pine, with battons and a hot wire on top. The difference was many $ between the pine and the oak boards.

All the posts on the farms I have visited in KY (Three Chimneys, Gainesway, Gainsborough etc) are round or 1/2round... I think it looks better myself.

I know cost is always a factor, it was with me, but I would strongly suggest NOT to go with 3 or 4" size if you can avoid it on the posts. They will bend or warp and if you need to do an occassional board repair, your usable surface is greatly diminished and may compromise the strength...

MintHillFarm, you used pine boards? Pressure treated or natural? I am curious to see how long they last before they are chewed up. Please keep us informed. We have always used oak and the pressure treated pine half rounds.

[SLW]

Basquemom-

Thanks! can you tell me more about those tpost covers on your website? I really like the idea of using those over tposts to divide the pastures.

Aren't those very nice looking! Many folks use them in our area for horse and dairy cattle operations. We are building a new barn next month and will have to install new fencing. That product is on my "Honey, we need to purchase these" list. :)