Is Redwood Really Resistant To Termites?
August 15, 2011
Is Redwood really resistant to termites? It depends on which part of the redwood tree the wood came from. Is redwood termite-proof? Let's examine this more closely to really see this.
There are several grades of redwood. These can be distinguished by size and quantity of knots, smooth or rough surface, grain characteristics, and the relevant characteristic to this post which is all heart or not.
Redwood that is two-colored is a mix of heartwood (which comes from the center of the tree and the area closer to the center), and sapwood (which comes from the outer part of the tree and the area closer to the protective bark of the tree).
The heartwood of redwood is pink when it's freshly cut compared to the sapwood which is almost white. It's the heartwood of redwood that is where its name is derived. As the heartwood ages with weather it very soon changes to a dark reddish-orange-brown sort of color. Eventually it will weather to a grey as does the sapwood and most other woods for that matter.
It's the heartwood of redwood which is resistant to termites and rot. It is not termite-proof, but, it is very resistant to termites and rot.
Our latest project is the demo and replacement of a termite infested redwood fence! Sounds like an oxymoron right? In the photos below you'll see cross-sections of some of the 2"x4"s from this old fence. The 2"x4"s are redwood but not an all heart, heartwood grade. Just look and see for yourself what the termites ate and what they did not!
And another!
And another!
One more!
As you can see the termites had plenty of the white sapwood to eat. You can also see they almost never ate the heartwood. Proper maintenance would have prevented most if not all of this termite infestation on this fence which is only about 12 years old. This is why all heart redwood is the proper redwood to use for fence posts. It's of course more expensive than other grades but this is out of context. There are heartwood grades of redwood and there are grades that contain sapwood.
So there it is accurately photographed for your viewing pleasure and information!
When I build a redwood fence with redwood posts, I specify and use all heart redwood posts. This is why!
So who do you trust to build your new wood fence or other outdoor wood project? Call, text or email me for a free quote. I will build it right!
Is Redwood really resistant to termites? It depends on which part of the redwood tree the wood came from. Is redwood termite-proof? Let's examine this more closely to really see this.
There are several grades of redwood. These can be distinguished by size and quantity of knots, smooth or rough surface, grain characteristics, and the relevant characteristic to this post which is all heart or not.
Redwood that is two-colored is a mix of heartwood (which comes from the center of the tree and the area closer to the center), and sapwood (which comes from the outer part of the tree and the area closer to the protective bark of the tree).
The heartwood of redwood is pink when it's freshly cut compared to the sapwood which is almost white. It's the heartwood of redwood that is where its name is derived. As the heartwood ages with weather it very soon changes to a dark reddish-orange-brown sort of color. Eventually it will weather to a grey as does the sapwood and most other woods for that matter.
It's the heartwood of redwood which is resistant to termites and rot. It is not termite-proof, but, it is very resistant to termites and rot.
Our latest project is the demo and replacement of a termite infested redwood fence! Sounds like an oxymoron right? In the photos below you'll see cross-sections of some of the 2"x4"s from this old fence. The 2"x4"s are redwood but not an all heart, heartwood grade. Just look and see for yourself what the termites ate and what they did not!
And another!
And another!
One more!
As you can see the termites had plenty of the white sapwood to eat. You can also see they almost never ate the heartwood. Proper maintenance would have prevented most if not all of this termite infestation on this fence which is only about 12 years old. This is why all heart redwood is the proper redwood to use for fence posts. It's of course more expensive than other grades but this is out of context. There are heartwood grades of redwood and there are grades that contain sapwood.
So there it is accurately photographed for your viewing pleasure and information!
When I build a redwood fence with redwood posts, I specify and use all heart redwood posts. This is why!
So who do you trust to build your new wood fence or other outdoor wood project? Call, text or email me for a free quote. I will build it right!
Posted by WoodFenceExpert.com at 8/16/2011 5:09 PM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: WoodFenceExpert.com Redwood fence Best redwood to use against termites Redwood fence termite proof termites in the wood fence
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: WoodFenceExpert.com Redwood fence Best redwood to use against termites Redwood fence termite proof termites in the wood fence
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