[dmg]

Hi all,
I have a few 8ft posts that I want to train fruit trees between, they are untreated at the moment and was wondering the best treatment for them. I would be looking to sink them about 2ft down and would they be secure enough just in soil or would I need some kind of postcrete product.

Thanks
dmg

[cadalot]

Its worth treating further so soak the ends in a bucket or capped Soil & Vent Pipe offcut full of Cuptinal or similar mid priced preservative before you insert into the ground.

Because I'm a structural engineer I just happen to have a hand auger for taking soil samples so I normally drill a hole then open it up with a trowel and use enough post mix to fill the gap.

[sunshineband]

Given the weight of fruit trees on wires, and their wind resistance when mature, I would definitely use postcrete, as Alan says

We have done this for the loganberry etc frame we have built, to stop it blowing over in the wind.

[arugula]

Hi all,
I have a few 8ft posts that I want to train fruit trees between, they are untreated at the moment and was wondering the best treatment for them.

What kind of posts are they? Are you sure they're not tanalised?

[dmg]

Thanks for the replies folks

arugula, they haven't been treated at at all they are 3 by 3 posts that a guy that has a fencing buisiness had surplus.

dmg

[arugula]

they haven't been treated at at all they are 3 by 3 posts that a guy that has a fencing buisiness had surplus.

Ah! Freshly milled stobs.

[savbo]

in terms of stability, the other thing to consider is some kind of bracing post, set an angle to the main post...

which is exactly what I'm installing in next couple of weeks on the 2 posts for my Pear Pleaching project

sav

[GrannieAnnie]

apologies dmg, just closed the gap!!   

[bobr1960]

Hi all,
I have a few 8ft posts that I want to train fruit trees between, they are untreated at the moment and was wondering the best treatment for them. I would be looking to sink them about 2ft down and would they be secure enough just in soil or would I need some kind of postcrete product.

Thanks
dmg

Hi Whenever I do anything similar I would treat with a preservative (Couple of coats) then dig out the hole and then put the post in and support with four upright bricks of broken bits and then tip a bag of Postcrete in then just add some water and hey preseto in 10-20 mins it will be strong as you need. I normally leave it over night and then fix to it but they could be fixed  too much earlier than this if needed.
Regards
Bob