What is the life of untreated pine outdoors? I’ve recently aquired a large quatity of very heavy southern yellow heart pine and would like to build a capped picket fence for my back yard using red wood for posts and the heart pine for the rest, I know untreated soft lumber is terrible choice for a fence but its all I have and it would definitely look better than the current old steel roof panels and treated plywood fence, how long should realistically expect this fence to last, and what could I do to extend its life?
Thanks
Armando
Replies
Armando,
I don't get to use southern yellow pine for my outdoor work. Ponderosa pine that I use here in the Pacific Northwest can last ten years. More if it's well painted and sheltered. So your heart pine might do better than ten years. Heck it might go 20 years but I'd treat it with a stain at least to provide some protection. Check with the U.S. Forest Service and their website to see if they have specific information on species and longevity out of doors. Tight grained, first growth redwood and cedar are outstanding. Cypress is also good. Yellow pine I'm just not so optimistic about. Good luck. Gary
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