6 Best Tall Wood Posts For Deer Fencing On Farms Old Farmers Swear By
Explore the 6 tall wood posts old farmers trust for deer fencing. This guide covers the most durable, rot-resistant options for long-term farm protection.
You spend all spring nurturing your vegetable patch, only to walk out one morning and find your tender bean sprouts mowed down to the nub. The culprits? A small herd of deer that treated your garden like an all-you-can-eat buffet. A good fence isn’t just a suggestion on a farm; it’s a necessity for protecting your hard work, and the foundation of any deer-proof fence is a set of strong, tall posts. Choosing the right wood post is about balancing cost, longevity, and the specific conditions on your land.
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Why Wood Posts Are a Farmer’s Choice for Fencing
There’s a reason you see miles of wood post fencing stretching across the countryside. Unlike the cold, industrial look of steel T-posts, wood blends into the landscape. It has a natural, timeless appearance that respects the aesthetic of a farm.
But it’s not just about looks. For a tall deer fence, which needs to be at least eight feet high, you need rigidity that flimsy posts just can’t provide. Heavy-gauge wood posts, especially at the corners and ends, create an unyielding backbone for high-tensile wire. They won’t bend or flex under tension or from the impact of a spooked animal. This structural integrity is what keeps your fence tight and effective for years.
Wood is also incredibly versatile. You can easily drive staples to attach woven wire, high-tensile smooth wire, or electric insulators. This adaptability allows you to build the exact type of fence you need, whether it’s a simple barrier or a more complex, multi-strand electric system.
Pressure-Treated Pine: The Affordable Workhorse
Walk into any farm supply store, and you’ll be met with stacks of pressure-treated (PT) pine posts. They are the most common and affordable option available, making them the default choice for many farmers working within a budget. These posts are made from Southern Yellow Pine, a fast-growing and relatively inexpensive wood, which is then infused with chemical preservatives to fight off rot and insects.
When buying PT pine, pay close attention to the treatment rating. You need posts rated for "ground contact," as this ensures they have enough preservative to withstand being buried in moist soil. Anything less is meant for decking or other above-ground uses and will rot out in just a few years. For a deer fence, you’ll be looking for posts that are 10 to 12 feet long to achieve an 8-foot finished height.
The major trade-off with PT pine is the chemicals. While effective, some farmers are hesitant to use them around organic gardens or pastures where livestock might chew on the wood. The lifespan is respectable, often lasting 15 to 20 years, but it doesn’t compare to some of the naturally resistant hardwoods. It’s a practical, cost-effective solution, but not a "once in a lifetime" one.
Northern White Cedar for Natural Rot Resistance
If you want a naturally durable post without the chemical treatment, Northern White Cedar is a fantastic option. Cedar contains natural oils and tannins that make it inherently resistant to both moisture and insects. This is the same reason cedar is prized for shingles, siding, and garden beds.
The biggest advantages of cedar are that it’s lightweight and chemical-free. Hauling and setting cedar posts is significantly easier on your back than wrestling with heavy, dense hardwoods or water-logged PT pine. Its natural properties make it a perfect choice for anyone practicing organic farming or who simply wants to avoid introducing chemicals into their soil.
However, cedar isn’t perfect. It’s a softer wood, which means it can be more susceptible to damage from equipment during installation. It also costs more than PT pine and its availability can be regional. While it resists rot beautifully, it doesn’t have the sheer strength of denser woods, so it’s best used for line posts rather than high-tension corner posts unless you use a larger diameter.
Black Locust Posts: A Lifetime Investment
When old-timers talk about a fence post that will outlive the person who set it, they’re usually talking about Black Locust. This wood is the gold standard for longevity. It’s an incredibly dense, rot-resistant hardwood that can easily last 50 years or more in the ground without any chemical treatment.
The secret to Black Locust’s durability lies in its natural chemical compounds and tight grain, which make it nearly impervious to water and insects. Many a farmer has replaced the wire on a fence three times before ever having to replace a single locust post. They are so tough that they’re often salvaged from old fence lines and reused.
This incredible performance comes at a cost. Black Locust posts are expensive and can be hard to find. The wood is also notoriously difficult to work with. It’s so hard that driving staples into it can be a real chore, often requiring pre-drilling. But if your goal is to build a permanent fence that you never have to think about again, Black Locust is a true lifetime investment.
Osage Orange (Hedge): The Toughest Wood Around
In the same league as Black Locust for sheer indestructibility is Osage Orange, also known as Hedge or Bodark. This wood is legendary for its toughness and rot resistance. It’s a bright yellow-orange when first cut and weathers to a silvery gray, but its ability to withstand the elements is second to none.
Like Black Locust, Osage Orange is packed with natural preservatives that make it last for generations. It’s so dense that it barely absorbs water, and termites won’t touch it. Finding an old, gnarled Osage Orange post that’s been in the ground for 75 years and is still solid as a rock is a common story in the regions where it grows.
The challenge with Osage Orange is finding straight, usable posts. The trees tend to grow crooked and thorny, making milling them a difficult task. The wood is also incredibly hard and heavy, making installation a workout. If you can source good Osage Orange posts, you’ll have a fence with a foundation that will likely outlast your farm.
Tamarack (Larch) Posts for Wet Soil Conditions
Not all fields are high and dry. Many farms have low-lying areas, creek bottoms, or swampy sections that stay saturated for much of the year. In these conditions, even rot-resistant woods can fail prematurely. This is where Tamarack, also known as Larch, shines.
Tamarack is a unique coniferous tree whose wood is exceptionally resistant to rot in wet environments. Historically, it was a prized wood for building ship hulls, water pipes, and mine timbers because of its performance when submerged. This same quality makes it an ideal choice for fence posts in boggy soil where other posts would quickly decay.
Availability is the main constraint for Tamarack. It primarily grows in the cooler climates of the northern United States and Canada. If you live in these regions, it’s an excellent, often overlooked specialty option. For farmers elsewhere, it may be difficult to source, but if you’re fencing a wetland, it’s worth the effort to find.
Reclaimed Creosote Poles: Old-School Durability
For generations, farmers have turned to a cheap and incredibly durable source for corner posts: reclaimed railroad ties and utility poles. These massive posts are treated with creosote, a tar-like substance that makes them virtually immune to rot and insects for decades. You can often get them for a fraction of the cost of new posts, and sometimes even for free.
Their durability is undeniable. A well-treated creosote pole set as a corner post will anchor a fence for a lifetime. They provide the mass and strength needed to withstand the immense tension of a properly stretched high-tensile deer fence.
However, the use of creosote comes with significant drawbacks. It’s a powerful and toxic preservative that can be messy and harmful to work with. It can leach into the surrounding soil, making it a poor choice near vegetable gardens or water sources. Furthermore, livestock, particularly horses, may be tempted to chew on the wood, which can be toxic. Use them with caution and only in areas far from sensitive crops and animals.
Setting Posts Deep for a Long-Lasting Barrier
The world’s best fence post is worthless if it’s not set properly. A tall deer fence acts like a sail in the wind and must withstand pressure from animals, so a deep and solid foundation is non-negotiable. The stability of your entire fence line depends on how well you set the posts.
A critical rule of thumb is to bury at least one-third of the post’s total length in the ground. For an 8-foot-tall fence, you need a 12-foot post, with a full 4 feet buried. This depth provides the leverage needed to resist frost heave in cold climates and to keep the post from leaning under the tension of the wire. Skimping on post length and depth is the most common mistake people make.
Pay special attention to your corner posts, end posts, and gate posts. These are the anchors for the entire system. They should be a larger diameter than your line posts and must be braced securely. A well-built H-brace at each corner is the key to keeping your fence drum-tight for years. If your corners fail, the whole fence will sag, no matter how good your line posts are.
Choosing the right wood post is a decision that balances your budget, your land’s specific challenges, and how long you want the fence to last. Whether you opt for affordable treated pine or invest in the generational durability of Black Locust, the principle remains the same. A strong fence is a long-term project, and putting in the effort to select and set quality posts upfront will save you countless hours of repairs and frustration for years to come.
