It's a lot of trouble to go buy creosoted posts (my preference), sometimes cedar posts are really crappy in shape or heartwood, but does any other treated posts really have any longevity? I guess it's still available, but the CCA treated posts I have used/seen had way to high of an early failure/rot rate.

What my dad used to do is when we set the treated post, he'd slather it in tar on all 4 sides roughly 3" above and below grade. When cemented in the bottom couple inches was covered and the top couple inches of tar was exposed. We didn't have any of those rot after he started doing it.

Check with the local electric utility and see if they have any old creosote power poles. Also there's a few wood and lumber companies that sell them

Prior to the Woods of Mission sawmill selling in Sanger I bought a lot of wood there. I was amazed at the amount of business they had with old telephone poles.

The first four cuts removed the rounded portion. Those pieces where in high demand for horse owners to use as fencing.

They cut the squared pieces into 2" thick boards and it was in high demand for small trailer beds by landscaping companies etc.

Buy from a supply company/store and not a big box store.

See if there is a bison near you.

Normally all the stuff at the big box stores comes from the same plant (LP or etc.) Bison May carry something different, and that'll be your chance to find a worth while piece.

I've had good luck with treated landscape timbers from McCoy's - not so much luck with treated timbers from Lowe's.

I've had great luck with pressure treated pine when I remember to make a little mound out of the cement that comes up the pole a couple of inches. Most of the rotten ones I've removed had sort of a valley there instead where the water collects and keeps the posts wet.

edit: I"ll also use a rock to keep the bottom of the post from extending below the bottom of the concrete. That helps keep it rotting out from the bottom up.

If anywhere in east texas, the cca treated (6"x6") posts and bridge timbers from Hicks post around Alto are awesome. Used them for a field fence and corral 12 years ago and they look to be about 95% still. If I recall you have to sign that you are not using them for residential (and maybe even ag) use as the treatment level is too high for that, but dang they are good.

The Fife said:

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I've had great luck with pressure treated pine when I remember to make a little mound out of the cement that comes up the pole a couple of inches. Most of the rotten ones I've removed had sort of a valley there instead where the water collects and keeps the posts wet.

edit: I"ll also use a rock to keep the bottom of the post from extending below the bottom of the concrete. That helps keep it rotting out from the bottom up.

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A friend of mine mentioned this after a Hurricane years ago. The fact that so many posts sheared off at ground level was due (in his opinion). to wicking moisture from the ground where the post made contact with the dirt. His suggection was to set rocks or old bricks into the bottom of the hole, set the post in place on top, then pour the concrete. When the concrete dries, there is a seperation between the soil and bottom of post, so wicking is minimized....