Garden gate post installation

[Fuzzarr]

Hi guys,

I'm in the process of replacing my rear hedge and want to put a new gate in as well. I've found a gate I like, which is a 6ft wooden one. I'd like to attach it to a wooden post and have found some 6x6 oak posts for sale at a local garden supplies retailer.

What would you recommend for a sturdy installation? I live in a clay soil area, by the way.

I have been looking up the various methods. Apparently setting a wood post in concrete isn't a great idea as it can encourage/accelerate rot. I could install a concrete post set in concrete, but prefer the look of a wooden post.

This page/video suggests with the right tools a wooden post can be installed in soil sturdily. Have any of you successfully installed posts in just soil that can take some decent weight?

Any thoughts much appreciated!

Cheers

[sparkythecat]

You can take a lot of the strain off the post by putting a wheel on the end of your gate.

[anonymous-user]

Concrete versus bare soil/compacted hardcore makes such little difference it isn't really worth worrying about. With clay soil I doubt a non concrete solution will last well.

A 6x6 oak post will take a fair while to decay anyway (say 15 to 20 years), compared to a poor quality preservative treated softwood - modern preservatives aren't up to much really when compared to old CCA treatment.

One thing to consider is that a 6x6 oak post will be green and not kiln dried so will shrink a fair bit after installation which may make it wobbly regardless of how it is fitted. It could shrink by as much as 3mm in each direction when it dries out. It may also distort depending on how straight grained it is.