Do-it-yourself Split-rail Fencing

Rails

• 1

  Use a chain saw to cut your trees to length. Rails should be between 10 and 12 feet long. Select the trees for rails first. Material for rails should be as straight as possible with a minimum of knots or obvious defects. The quality of grain for the posts is not as critical, because you will not be splitting the posts.

• 2

  Use an ax to remove all the limbs from the trunk. Remove the base of the limb as close to the trunk as possible.

• 3

  Drive the first splitting wedge into one end of the log with a sledgehammer. Sink the wedge into the log until it is buried at least halfway into the wood.

• 4

  Place the second wedge into the resulting split as far away from the first wedge as possible. Drive the second wedge into the split with the sledgehammer until it is at least halfway into the log. This will widen the split along the length of the wood.

• 5

  Remove the first wedge from the log. Place it into the split as far as possible from the second wedge. Continue alternating wedges down the length of the log until it is split. There may be a few strips of wood still connecting the two halves of the log. Use an ax to cut any of these remaining strips. Depending upon the diameter of your log, you may wish to split it into from four to eight sections.

Posts

• 6

  Use a chain saw to cut your logs into post lengths (usually 6 to 8 feet). Remove any remaining limbs with an ax. Cut the base of the limbs as close as possible to the body of the log.

• 7

  Use an auger or power drill to bore the mounting holes for your rails. Each finished hole should be large enough to accommodate the ends of two rails. Bore a series of holes along the length of the post to make the opening the proper height for your rails.

• 8

  Clean out the inside of the bored hole with a large chisel or slick. Enlarge the sides of the opening as necessary to fit the ends of your rails.