STEPHENS CEDAR YARD- PROVIDING QUALITY MOUNTAIN CEDAR PRODUCTS SINCE 1939

UNDERSTANDING POST SIZING AND GRADING

As opposed to lumber, the first number in the dimensions is the minimum length of the post, but is not an exact measurement and will vary by several inches. The second number is the minimum diameter of the post, determined by measuring the circumference of the small end (top) and dividing by 3 (basically, d=c/π). So, for example, a post measuring 87” in length with a circumference of 12” on the small end, would be a 7’x4”. Posts are then graded by straightness into two categories: #1, traditionally called “yard” posts, as you ranchers would use them around their house; or #2, called “wire posts”, used for stretching miles of wire in the pasture as they are more economical and typically contain more heart.

A WORD ABOUT OUR GRADE

We have a very strict grade, unlike many of our smaller competitors. We often hear from customers that our #2’s are as good as #1’s they purchased elsewhere for two reasons. First, other vendors use more of an approximation of diameter, so the customer may price 7’x5” posts, but what they receive are a mixture of 4” and 5”. Secondly, they will allow posts with a bow, or that are straight for the top 4’, into their #1’s. If you want truly straight posts, you have to pay an up charge for “hand picked” or “select”. Therefore, our price quote will often be higher than our competitors, but when held to the same grade, prices will be comparable.

CALL FOR PRICING

 

SIZES AND GRADES

SIZE

GRADE

PRODUCT TYPE

PRODUCT USE

7’ X 3”7’ X 3 1/2”7’ X 4”7’ X 5”7’ X 6”7’ X 3”7’ X 3 1/2”7’ X 4”7’ X 5”7’ X 6”

#1#1#1#1#1#2#2#2#2#2

LINE POSTS

Best used for 60” fence or shorter. Good for standard 48” net or barbed wire, or where excavating holes deeper than 2’ is not possible. #2’s are traditional fence posts and will range from being straight to having a 4”, 1-way bow. These posts will typically have more heart and longevity, but require a bit more effort to plumb and level.#1’s are hand selected for straightness.

8 1/2’ X 4”8 1/2’ X 5”8 1/2’ X 6”10 1/2’ X 5”10 1/2’ X 6”14’ X 5”14’ X 6”

#1#1#1#1#1#1#1

 

Best used for 60-78” fence, or standard 48” fence in deeper/sandy soils. All posts ≥8’ are #1 grade.

Best used for 8’ game fence, or 60-78” fence in deeper soils.

5’- Saw Cut5’- Axe Cut5’- Saw Cut5’- Axe Cut8 1/2’ X 2”8 1/2’ X 3”8 1/2’ X 3 1/2”

#1#1#2#2#1#1#1#1

STAVES AND RAILS

All 5’ staves will range from 1.5-3” in diameter. We do not separate our “bull” staves. Axe-cut staves are pointed with an axe to shed water and add character. #2’s will have a maximum of 3” one-way bow, while #1’s are hand selected for straightness. All 8 1/2’ rails only come in grade #1.

8 1/2’ X 7”8 1/2’ X 8-10”10 1/2’ X 7”10 1/2’ X 8”10 1/2’ X 10”14’ X 7”14’ X 8-10”

#1#1#1#1#1#1

CORNER POSTS

All our corner posts are #1 grade and are as straight as possible. It is generally recommended to set corner and gate posts a minimum of 4’ below grade where soil conditions allow.

10 1/2’ X 15”16-20’+ X 6”16-20’+X 7-10”

#1#1#1

SAW LOGS & SPECIALTY POSTS

These posts are rare for their length and/or diameter. Great for use in special building projects.

Hand picked 7' posts measuring <10.5" minimum circumference
7'x3" #1's

Hand picked 7' posts measuring <10.5" minimum circumference

Hand picked 7' posts measuring 10.5-12" minimum circumference
7'x3.5" #1's

Hand picked 7' posts measuring 10.5-12" minimum circumference

Hand picked 7' posts with 12-15" minimum circumference
7'x4" #1's

Hand picked 7' posts with 12-15" minimum circumference

Hand picked 7' posts with 15-18" minimum circumference
7'x5" #1's

Hand picked 7' posts with 15-18" minimum circumference

Hand picked 7' posts with >18" minimum circumference
7'x6" #1's

Hand picked 7' posts with >18" minimum circumference

Traditional 7' posts measuring <10.5" minimum circumference
7'x3" #2's

Traditional 7' posts measuring <10.5" minimum circumference

Traditional 7' fence posts measuring 10.5-12" minimum circumference
7'x3.5" #2's

Traditional 7' fence posts measuring 10.5-12" minimum circumference

Traditional 7' posts with 12-15" minimum circumference
7'x4" #2's

Traditional 7' posts with 12-15" minimum circumference

Traditional 7' posts with 15-18" minimum circumference
7'x5" #2's

Traditional 7' posts with 15-18" minimum circumference

Traditional 7' posts with >18" minimum circumference
7'x6" #2's

Traditional 7' posts with >18" minimum circumference

Hand picked 8.5' rails with 12-15" minimum circumference
8.5'x4"

Hand picked 8.5' rails with 12-15" minimum circumference

Hand picked 8.5' posts with 15-18" minimum circumference
8.5'x5"

Hand picked 8.5' posts with 15-18" minimum circumference

Hand picked 8.5' posts with 18-21" minimum circumference
8.5'x6"

Hand picked 8.5' posts with 18-21" minimum circumference

10.5' Line posts with 15-18" minimum circumference
10.5'x5"

10.5' Line posts with 15-18" minimum circumference

10.5' Line posts with 18-21" minimum circumference
10.5'x6"

10.5' Line posts with 18-21" minimum circumference

14' Line posts with 15-18" minimum circumference
14'x5"

14' Line posts with 15-18" minimum circumference

14' Line posts with 18-21" minimum circumference
14'x6"

14' Line posts with 18-21" minimum circumference

Staves average 2" in diameter, ranging from 1.5-3"
5' Staves, Saw-Cut #1's

Staves average 2" in diameter, ranging from 1.5-3"

Staves average 2" in diameter, ranging from 1.5-3"
5' Staves, Axe-Cut #1's

Staves average 2" in diameter, ranging from 1.5-3"

Staves average 2" in diameter ranging from 1.5-3"
5' Staves, Saw-Cut #2's

Staves average 2" in diameter ranging from 1.5-3"

Staves average 2" in diameter, ranging from 1.5-3"
5' Staves, Axe-Cut #2's

Staves average 2" in diameter, ranging from 1.5-3"

8.5' staves with <6" minimum circumference
8.5'x2"

8.5' staves with <6" minimum circumference

8.5' staves with 9-10.5" minimum circumference
8.5'x3"

8.5' staves with 9-10.5" minimum circumference

8.5' staves with 10.5-12" minimum circumference
8.5'x3.5"

8.5' staves with 10.5-12" minimum circumference

8.5' Corner posts with 21-24" minimum circumference
8.5'x7"

8.5' Corner posts with 21-24" minimum circumference

8.5' Corner posts with >24" minimum circumference
8.5'x8"

8.5' Corner posts with >24" minimum circumference

10.5' Line/corner posts with 21-24" minimum circumference
10.5'x7"

10.5' Line/corner posts with 21-24" minimum circumference

10.5' Corner posts with 24-30" minimum circumference
10.5'x8"

10.5' Corner posts with 24-30" minimum circumference

10.5' Corner posts with >30" minimum circumference
10.5'x10"

10.5' Corner posts with >30" minimum circumference

14' Line/corner posts with 21-24" minimum circumference
14'x7"

14' Line/corner posts with 21-24" minimum circumference

14' Corner posts with >24" minimum circumference
14'x8"

14' Corner posts with >24" minimum circumference

16' Specialty posts in various diameters
16'x6-8"

16' Specialty posts in various diameters

20' specialty posts in various diameters
20'x6-8"

20' specialty posts in various diameters

These 1" thick milled cedar boards have a natural edge on each side and are great for long lasting privacy fence and other unique projects.
Natural Edge Cedar Boards

These 1" thick milled cedar boards have a natural edge on each side and are great for long lasting privacy fence and other unique projects.

3" thick cedar planks with natural edge.
Cedar Planks

3" thick cedar planks with natural edge.

8.5'x5" posts machine peeled to finish grade.
Peeled Posts

8.5'x5" posts machine peeled to finish grade.

14'x7" posts machine peeled to finish grade for interior beams.
Peeled Beams

14'x7" posts machine peeled to finish grade for interior beams.

8.5'x8" posts machine peeled to finish grade for porch columns.
Peeled Columns

8.5'x8" posts machine peeled to finish grade for porch columns.

These 1" thick milled cedar boards have square edges and are great for creating faux beams and columns.
Square Edge Cedar Boards

These 1" thick milled cedar boards have square edges and are great for creating faux beams and columns.

We carry standard 6x6, 8x8, and 10x10 squared posts, but we can have posts milled to almost any dimension.
Squared Beams and Timbers

We carry standard 6x6, 8x8, and 10x10 squared posts, but we can have posts milled to almost any dimension.