Will Cedar Posts Rot

Cedar has a reputation for durability, but unless a few guidelines are followed, cedar posts can fail in as few as five years. Three factors contribute to this early failure: poor drainage, low-quality wood and poor protection against insect damage.

How do you keep cedar posts from rotting?

Because water wicks up through the cut end grain of the post much more readily than it does through the sides of the post, either soak the end of the post in a preservative solution (copper naphthenate), or coat it with a waxy end sealer such as Anchorseal.

Do cedar posts need to be treated?

Although cedar woods contain preservatives that are harmful to decay-causing fungi, they must be maintained. Special attention must be paid to outdoor posts, the weight-bearing portions of most decks and fences, to ensure they are properly weatherproofed.