Soil Problems and Railroad Ties

History

• In the United States, railroad ties are predominately wooden and have been since railroads started making their westward progression during the nation's expansion. According to the January 2008 railroad industry publication "Railway, Track and Structures," more than 90 percent of all ties in the U.S. are wooden. The most popular wood used to produce railroad ties is oak, chosen for its hardwood and ability to stand up to years of abuse. Some rail lines use softwoods out of necessity if it is the only option available to them.

Problems

• Wooden railroad ties are convenient and make great landscaping beds, steps and other landscape features. Just like any type of wood, railroad ties are susceptible to rot, general daily abuse and insect infestations. Before ties are used by railroads, they are often treated with creosote or other wood preservatives to help extend their life. Creosote is a thick, oily substance made from coal tar distillates and is one of the most widely applied wood preservatives. These preservatives don't last indefinitely but do seep into surrounding soil over time. These chemicals can cause numerous problems as they leach out of the ties, killing plants and potentially affecting your health at the same time. If ingested, creosote causes severe stomach pain. Both the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classify coal tar creosote as a probable carcinogen. The preservative can also cause chemicals burns of your eyes, lungs or skin. As railroad ties rot, they can also usher in a variety of insects or termites you might not otherwise have in the environment around your home.

Precautions

• If you chose to use railroad ties in your landscape, chose ties that are not still oozing black creosote or have a strong odor. When working with ties, wear long sleeves and gloves. Children could come into contact with the sticky creosote, getting it onto their clothes or skin. It is also possible they could ingest some wood preservatives which is a health concern. Railroad ties or other pressure treated wood should not be used to build vegetable beds since the chemicals in creosote can leach into the soil and be absorbed into the food.

Tips and Solutions

• Some railroad ties can last between 25 and 50 years in service on a rail line. Most wood preservative chemicals begin to wear off several years after their application, giving cause for the removal of the tie. If using railroad ties in the landscape, choose older ties that look dry and don't have an odor or sticky substance coming from them. If used to build landscaping beds, line the inside of the railroad ties with heavy black garden plastic. This will act as a barrier between the ties and your garden soil and plants, cutting down on the amount of chemicals that could leach.