Misty on Homestead Rescue said...

Hi. My name is Jennie, and I'm addicted to Homestead Rescue 🥺😅

Once, I heard Misty say that if you put a timber fence post in upside-down (ie: opposite the way the tree would grow up), it'll rot less quickly because the water only wicks one way up the tree. If you put the fence post in topside-down, it won't wick moisture. You think?

Also wondering, if this is true, might it have applications in cordwood structures, or would that be too crazy making for no good reason?

Thanks!

I suppose it is possible but my understanding is once the tree is dead, maybe a few weeks or months after is is cut down, it will no longer wick the moisture upwards.  If it soaks long enough in water or damp soil it will wick upwards, similar to putting paper into water, but it takes a live tree to move the moisture as nature intended.  But, that is based on what I remember from science class many years ago.

To me, it is not the water that runs up or down a tree (post), it is the water in the ground that rots the post.

Moisture can travel in either direction in wood grain, but as Anne said, the water in the ground, specifically near the surface where the wood can be continually wetted and dried, is what really threatens wood posts. Even if there is a difference in wicking ease, it is not enough to be significant. Fence posts are easier to pound in and wedge themselves tight with the smaller end down and the larger end available to be struck. If I was digging a hole for a post and backfilling it, I would put the larger end down for greater strength.

I suppose with the smaller end down, there is less surface area exposed to do the wicking.  Of course, there is less mass for strength as well. I don’t see a gain.  Even if the cells only draw water in one direction, the rot appears to greater at ground level and on the post tops.