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Thread: Cypress Pine
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14th November 2011, 06:50 PM #1New Member
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Cypress Pine
Hi all, I have a problem with Cypress pine posts rotting in the ground, the posts have been in ground for 6 years and are at the stage of replacement, they are rotted below ground only,
The posts were also painted with tar paint before installation
The supplier is not treating the problem with any urgency and replacement is a costly excersise as poles are up to 2.5 metres in fill with no machine access,
As far as I know Cypress Pine should be rated upto 50 years, is this correct?
Can I get a sample tested to prove the product?
Any constructive thoughts or ideas would be much appreciated,
Thanks
Steve
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14th November 2011 06:50 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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14th November 2011, 09:58 PM #2I now have 3 sheds
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- Aug 2010
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- Soldiers Point, NSW
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Hi Steve
White cypress pine has a durability rating of 1 for above ground use and 2 for in-ground use. I don't believe cypress pine has a 50 year lifespan rating for in-ground use.
My father-in-law's family business owns a cypress mill and supplied the cypress pine for my house frame. He advised me not to use it for in-ground use as it would likely rot over time. All the cypress posts for my house are mounted on galvanised stirrups set into concrete footings to ensure they are clear of the ground.
This may be one answer to your problem - cut off the posts just above ground level and bolt them to stirrups set into concrete footings, however this depends on what the posts are holding up.
The other alternative may be replacement with treated pine posts, These I believe have a lifespan of 30-40 years for in-ground use if installed according to specifications.
If your supplier recommended the use of the cypress posts in-ground for your particular application you may be better served by seeking an opinion from another professional experienced in the use of cypress pine for construction.
Regards
Dave
(Twosheds)
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15th November 2011, 10:04 AM #3Senior Member
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- Jun 2010
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- Canberra
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I concur. Callitris glaucophylla is meant to be termite resistant so maybe this is what is meant by "in ground use" but it aint fungal proof. Particularly if its in damp soil. As Twosheds said you would be better off conceiving a plan to get them out of the ground if it's possible.
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15th November 2011, 10:39 AM #4GOLD MEMBER
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Cypress has been used for many years as fence posts in arid dry country. Termites dont like it but wet ground will shorten its life.
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15th November 2011, 05:17 PM #5SENIOR MEMBER
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- Dec 2007
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seeing where you come from there is a very small chance that the cypress is macrocarpa.did you purchase the posts yourself,and was it from a known supplier?
i'm just wondering because there is alot of it available around your area
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16th November 2011, 12:41 PM #6New Member
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- Nov 2011
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White Cypress
Thankyou all for your comments,
I have had the timber tested and it definetly is White Cypress,
They are saying that it is the sapwood that is decaying even knowing some post are decayed in the centre,
I am in disscussions with the supplier and they are going to send a rep out to have a look also,
Some of the posts are up to 2.5 metres in fill so replacement is an issue,
I think the solution in the end will be to cut off posts at ground level and pour a concrete footing say 600 wide by 600 deep the lenghth of the deck to pick up all posts and put them on stirips,
Thanks again for every one's input and any other idea are greatly appreciated,
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