Birch Tree Lumber And Hardware

10/30/2026

10/30/2026

Calling all Cars/ Classic cars and Parade floats. Birch Trees Halloween parade, October 31. Let’s see those cars and floats decorated. No registration needed, parade lineup starts 6:45pm at the top of Oak Street.

10/30/2026

Halloween is around the corner. Let’s have a great turn out

10/18/2026

(573)292-3410

10/15/2026

Ever wonder why some fence lines stay straight for decades while gate posts start sagging after the first wet winter? It usually comes down to fence post setting depths and what sits at the bottom of the hole. 🛠️

A light three-strand wire post can sit 16–24 inches deep on a simple gravel base, and a mesh fence post holds steady at 24–32 inches with concrete and gravel. Once you hang a heavy wooden gate on strap hinges, digging down 32–48 inches with a full concrete footing and gravel base prevents that extra leverage from pulling the post out of plumb.

10/15/2026

🔨 Stop Installing Fence Posts Wrong! (Why Your Fence Rots in 3 Years)

Setting a wooden post seems simple—dig a hole, dump in some concrete, stick the post in, and call it a day. But if you’re doing it like the Incorrect Method on the right, you are setting yourself up for failure, rot, and thousands of dollars in replacement costs!

Here is the exact breakdown of why fence posts rot and how to install them the RIGHT way so they last for decades:

🚨 The Deadly Mistake: Trapping Water
Wood rots because of prolonged exposure to moisture. When you pour concrete directly around the bottom of a post without drainage:
1. Water gets trapped underneath: With no gravel base, rain soaking into the ground sits directly against the end grain of the wood. The end grain acts like a sponge, sucking water straight up into the post.
2. Flat or sunken concrete tops: A flat or cupped concrete surface around the base creates a puddle ring every time it rains. That continuous standing water destroys the wood right at ground level—the most vulnerable spot!

🛡️ The Correct Method: Built to Last Decades
To build a fence or pergola post that resists rot, follow these key steps:

1. Use Pressure-Treated Lumber: Always choose ground-contact pressure-treated wood for direct burial.
2. Add a Gravel/Stone Drainage Base: Add 4 to 6 inches of crushed gravel or drainage stone at the bottom of the hole before setting the post. This lets water drain away freely into the soil rather than pooling around the bottom of the wood.
3. Slope the Concrete Top (Chamfer/Crown): When pouring your concrete footing, slope the top away from the post on all four sides. This simple bevel creates a natural watershed that forces rain runoff away from the base instead of pooling around it.

💬 Quick Question for the Pros & DIYers:
What’s your go-to method for setting posts? Do you use direct concrete, metal post anchors, or foam backfill? Drop your tips in the comments below! 👇

📌 Save this post for your next DIY project & tag a friend who's about to build a fence!

10/09/2026

Have a great weekend y’all☀️
We are open Sat & Sun 8-2