KC, have read and watch this discussion with interest. We have a high water level hear, many elevated septic tanks and sewer lines. Hardwood (Frank) telling how they treat the light poles there is what they do here also. DOT does not use wooden post any longer for any signage but some are used with guard rails. Those post cut at angle, will notice many rot in the center. Saw one last night at convenience store used for ash tray.

The black fence post about 3 inches in diameter here don't last any more than about that 8 years and do rot right off at ground level. A few years ago had a good friend who worked for a sign company and he said they painted the full post EXCEPT the bottom for the water had to have a way out for it was impossible to seal the post. Sort of makes sense and that might be the thought and reason behind the pea gravel Murf mentioned. No idea. It would seem if you took a dry piece of wood that would absorb oil into it, that would help.

Best suggestion I have as you don't seem a lot of wooden fence post used even on pastures here any longer, find old wooden fence post in your area as the moisture and wood would likly be what you will also experience and ask those who put those in what type of treatment they use or used.

Wonder how freezing affects post rotting? It has to cause the wood fibers to open up some but the time of the year a post is frozen, can it rot? It would seem not. So if a post were to remain frozen for 3 months a year, would that increase the years it took to rot? Have no idea.

In Texas, don't you use loctus wood for post for it last so long?

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