Some wood species are better than others for creating sturdy fences and western red cedar is among the best. Its heartwood includes oils that repel insects and resist rot and cedar fence posts can last 15 to 20 decades or more. When setting them in holes, then you have to strip off the white sapwood, since it isn’t as rot-resistant since the heartwood and deteriorates underground, leaving the posts loose. An alternate would be to bolt them to post holders put in concrete. Not only do they drain better and last longer, but they are also easier to replace.
Burying Cedar Posts
Dig a hole for every post with a post-hole digger. Make its depth equivalent to half the height of this fence, or one-third of the total length of this post.
Create a mark on the base of the post to denote ground level. Beginning 1 or 2 inches over that line, then shave off the outer layer of sapwood in the lower portion of the post having a sharp axe or a drawknife. Eliminate the entire covering of white hardwood from the reddish heartwood center.
Put enough gravel into the hole to earn a 2-inch layer on the underside and fall in the pole. Fill the hole with about 6 inches of gravel, then level the pole with a level and tamp the gravel using a 2-by-4-inch piece of scrap wood. Add enough gravel to boost the level from the hole by the other 6 inches, re-check the degree and tamp. Continue adding gravel until the top is about 2 inches below ground level.
Finish filling the hole with concrete. Build up the top an inch or two above ground level and slope it so water will drain away in the post. Allow the concrete set overnight prior to attaching fencing to the post.
Utilizing Post Holders
Use post holders just using 4-by-4-inch or 4-by-6-inch posts. If the posts are cylindrical, it’s much better to bury them.
Dig a hole for every post having a post-hole digger. Make the depth of this hole equal to half the height of this fence. Fill the hole to ground level using concrete.
Work the lower prongs of a galvanized steel pole holder into the wet concrete and level the base of the holder using a torpedo level; the base of the holder should be just out of touch with the concrete. Allow the concrete set.
Cut the fence post to the appropriate length using a circular saw, then set it from the holder and plumb it using a level. Bolt it to the holder using half-inch galvanized steel carriage bolts that are long enough to extend through the posts and the two prongs of this holder. Pre-drill holes to the bolts using a one-half-inch drill bit and tighten the nuts securely using a wrench.