58 | Feature: Wood Preservation
SUMMARY
■ The field trial was established in 2015
■ It evaluates the durability of fence posts made from British-grown pine, spruce, larch, and Douglas fir
■ The project demonstrates that correctly treated UK softwoods can perform reliably in ground contact applications
TIME TRIAL The forestry and wood preservation industries continue to back UK softwoods durability field trial
Major forestry and wood preservation organisations are backing the UK’s biggest ever field trial of softwood fence posts managed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE). Established in 2015 to evaluate the durability (decay resistance) of fence posts made from British-grown pine, spruce, larch, and Douglas fir, this important field trial was made possible thanks to a sponsorship- coalition of forestry, sawmill and industry organisations led by the Wood Protection Association (WPA) who conceived and commissioned the 15-year project. “Fencing is an important market for treated softwoods and a long term, independent, field trial is the only credible way to establish if home-grown softwoods can perform reliably when used for fence posts,” said Steve Young, WPA chairman.
He confirmed that in addition to reporting the findings for the exclusive use of sponsors, the data collected will also inform any changes to the preservative treatment specifications promoted by WPA to achieve the 15-year service life for treated wood set out in British Standard BS 8417, which is verified by the WPA Benchmark quality assurance scheme.
“In this way the investment by sponsors will have a lasting benefit for the UK forestry and wood treating industries as a whole,” said Mr Young.
Confor CEO Stuart Goodall echoed this view. Top: The Birnie Wood test site near Elgin, Scotland. The sandy loam over gravel soil is
proving to be a more challenging test of durability than the London Clay of the Watford site Above: Larch posts have been deteriorating and failing due to fungal decay at both the Watford and Birnie Wood test sites
TTJ | Spring 2026 |
www.ttjonline.com
“The strong, forestry, sawmill and wood preservation supply chain backing for this field trial is a much-needed collective commitment to advance commercial opportunities for home-grown softwoods,” he said.
TDUK technical manager, Nick Boulton also underscored the value of the field trial.
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