How to Build a Western Style Cedar Post Fence

Western red cedar is a valuable fence building material due to its natural insect repellent and weather resistant properties. An old-fashioned cedar snake fence evokes the Civil War era and adds a rustic flair to farm and ranch-style homes. Cedar split rail fences install in a day’s work and last for decades.

8-foot Western red cedar split rails
8-foot Western red cedar stakes
Fence post driver
Spray wood preservative

Instructions

- 1
  Place a cedar rail horizontally on the ground angled 30 degrees away from or toward your home. Place another split rail over the end of the first rail at a 30 degree angle so the ends of the rails overlap 6 inches.
- 2
  Place a third cedar rail over the first rail. Place a fourth cedar rail over the second rail so that it overlaps the third rail. Continue alternating and stacking rails until each edge of the fence section has four to six rails.
- 3
  Drive a cedar stake 2 feet deep on one side of the fence section’s vertex, using a fence post driver. Drive a second cedar stake 2 feet deep on the other side of the vertex.
- 4
  Continue adding additional fence sections in a zigzag pattern, using the same methods used to install the first two edges of the fence. Drive stakes on each side of each fence section’s intersection for reinforcement.
- 5
  Spray the fence with wood preservative to maintain its red color and prevent rotting. If you prefer the fence to weather to a natural gray color, skip this step.

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