Hedge post

[Justin Presson]

I need some knowledge from you guys. I am cutting up some hedge or bois d'arc as I think you southern guys call it and going to make fence post for the new homestead. My question is should I strip the bark off it or leave it. I assume stripping the bark would make it last even longer but not sure if it is worth the extra work? Anyone have any experience?

 

[Chris Railey]

Isn't that the same as Osage Orange? It does not help your question in the least but that is a top shelf longbow wood...

 

[Daniel Macina]

All the ones I’ve ever seen have the bark stripped. I would think the bark being on would promote bugs in that sort of thing.

 

[Justin Presson]

Isn't that the same as Osage Orange? It does not help your question in the least but that is a top shelf longbow wood...

Yes osage orange is another name

 

[Justin Presson]

All the ones I’ve ever seen have the bark stripped. I would think the bark being on would promote bugs in that sort of thing.

Well that's kind of what I thought bu also thought maybe the bark just fell off after 30 years....lol

 

[KenH]

We always left the bark on Black Locust fence posts - in wet ground they'd sometimes sprout and grow. If you removed bark no way they'd sprout then. Don't know anything about Osage Orange.

 

[opaul]

I hear it's good wood. I saw a program (something on homesteading) where they recommended burning the butt end and a foot or so of the base to harden the wood and help prevent rot. They did recommend de-barking and they used one of those propane flame wands to do the burning.

 

[Dennis Morland]

My Kansas relatives left the bark on. I am 55 years old and that fence is still there.

 

[Gene Kimmi]

Like Dennis, I’ve never seen the bark stripped from them around here.

 

[tkroenlein]

I wouldn't bother. It might fall off in 20 years or so.

 

[opaul]

I guess the homesteader show was incorrect information.

 

[mike miller]

We used to paint the end we stuck in the ground to try to stop any moisture damage. Just our way.

 

[Daniel Macina]

In my opinion hedge is about the best wood you can get for a post. I would personally strip the bark but that’s just me. It’s such a hard wood I don’t think you’ll go wrong however you decide to do it.

 

[Justin Presson]

Thanks guys for the input. I will of course stash some away for drying for future knife handles. Like Darrin says it is the micarta of wood.

 

[Self Made Knives]

I've had bugs get in the limb portions before when cutting firewood. They don't seem to affect the big trunk pieces really. I'd say strip it if it comes off easy, but it's probably not worth a bunch of extra work. I've got a bunch cut and stored inside for projects, I love making stuff with it.