Build Wooden Fences From Trees
Buck and pole, or buck and rail as it is often called, is the most efficient fence to build when using only trees. Jack and lodgepole pine are the best trees for the purpose because of their tall, straight trunks and small diameter. This type of fence will last decades and requires no material purchases except nails. This is a job that needs at least two workers. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Select the trees to be cut for the fence project. A section of fence requires two 7 to 8 foot posts, 5 to 8 inches in diameter, for the A frame buck. The first section will need two A frame bucks built. Four rails, 12 feet long, 2 to 3 inches in diameter. One cross pole, 6 feet long, 2 to 3 inches in diameter, for each A frame buck. With the chainsaw cut these posts and poles.
2. Lay the two posts on the ground with the tops crossed over each other and 12 inches of each post extending above the cross. Lay the 6 foot cross pole across the legs of the two posts, 8 inches from the bottom of the posts. Adjust the posts until the bottoms are even and there is 6 to 8 inches of the cross pole extending past each side.
3. Mark the top and bottom posts where they cross each other. Pull the posts apart and saw a 3 inch deep notch into each post where they meet. Cut the notch as wide as the post. Lay the notch of the top post into the notch of the bottom post. Trim if necessary to make the two notches fit together.
4. Lay the cross pole back over the bottom of the crossed posts just as before to make sure it still extends past the post sides. Drive one 80d spike through the crossed poles where they are notched. Drive a 60d nail through each end of the cross pole into the posts. The A frame buck is complete.
5. Make a second A frame buck the same way.
6. Stand the first A frame up and either wire it to a tree or nail temporary supports to it so it does not fall down. Have the other worker hold the second A frame upright, 10 feet distance from the first A frame. The rails will be mounted on the A frames, on the side facing into the property being fenced.
7. Take a rail and push one end up into the fork of the first A frame, let the rail extend 12 inches past the A frame post. Nail the rail into place on the post with a 70d spike. Go to the opposite end of the rail. Push the rail up into the fork of the second A frame, let it extend 12 inches past the post, and drive a 70d spike through it and into the post.
8. Lay the bottom rail on top of the extensions of the cross poles coming out of the A frame posts. Nail this rail in place by driving a 70d spike through each end of the rail and into the posts.
9. Measure equal distances between the top and bottom rails for the second and third rails. Nail these rails into place with 70d spikes in the same manner as the first two rails.
10. Build a third A frame buck. Stand it up 10 feet from the last A frame. Spike the top three rails on in the same manner as the last section; however set the rails just under and pushed up against the rails extending out from the last A frame. Set the bottom rail on top of the previous bottom rail and nail that end in place, but don't nail the end going into the next A frame.
11. Build a fourth A frame buck. Nail on the top three rails just above and resting on top of the extended rails from the previous A frame. Slip the bottom rail under the previous bottom rail and nail both bottom rails in place. Leave the end going to the next A frame loose.
12. Continue building A frame bucks and alternating the rails above or below the previous rails. Nail only the one end of each bottom rail so that the next bottom rail can be put under it. Repeat this pattern until the fence is completed.
Tags: bottom rail, frame buck, cross pole, first frame, inches diameter, rail into
