Learned that untreated cedar only lasts 5 years as raised bed sides

I was building new raised beds last month and figured cedar would last forever like everyone says. Did some digging on a forestry extension site from Oregon State and found out untreated Western Red Cedar in ground contact only lasts 5-7 years max. The rot happens mostly at the soil line where moisture sits. That kinda surprised me because I thought I was buying a 15-year solution. Has anyone here tried using black locust or white oak for longer life on their beds?

3 comments

3 Comments

jana1197d ago

Yeah I totally agree, I had the same experience with my beds rotting way faster than I expected.

dixon.spencer12d ago

Man idk I feel like that 5-7 year number might be on the conservative side if you're in a drier climate or your beds drain really well. Have you looked into how soil moisture and drainage specifically affect the rot rate at the soil line? Like I wonder if putting gravel or pea stone right at that contact point could add a couple years, or if that just creates a different problem with water pooling.

shane65512d ago

Wonder if you're overthinking this whole thing, gravel ain't gonna save a post from years of rain.