Cedar or Vinyl Fencing?

[Gidget]

Getting down to what type of fence I am going to have. If it were up to me I would have 8 ft concrete all the way around , but that would take up too much room in my small lot - plus the $ factor.

So considering vinyl or cedar. Want to go 8 ft. On north side there is treated wood fence 6 ft that is already there, but I don't want to put up any more treated since I will grow some things. I also want to espalier so that might leave vinyl out.

I want something sturdy above all. I don't want my fence falling down all around my ICF house

Thanks for any help. I'd love to hear what you have.
G

 

[scooterbug44]

IMO Cedar is much nicer from both an aesthetic and environmental standpoint.

From what I gather from your posts looking at a vinyl fence will eventually annoy you.

 

[Lynnie]

I'd go with Cedar! It is aesthetically more attractive than vinyl. What you were considering with concrete sounds interesting......how were you thinking of doing that?

 

[NoHall]

What do you plan to espalier? I've espaliered lots of stuff to vinyl; you just tie it instead of nailing into the fence.

If the fence is going to be covered in plants, I would go with vinyl. You need to paint/treat wooden fences if you want them to last in the Florida weather, and that's really inconvenient when you have something growing on it. (Treated wood won't hurt plants, by the way.) The plants will also contribute to the deterioration of a cedar fence, but they won't hurt vinyl.

Wood will warp, splinter, and generally break down a lot faster.

 

[Gidget]

Thanks for your help guys. I plan on espaliering fruit! I am leaving behind 6 varieties of figs and thornless blackberries and blueberries and poms and persimmons and paw paw and jujube.... so whatever I can grow on a fence cuz I have a small lot. I plan on container growing also and perhaps some dwarf trees?

PLEASE share what have you grown in that fashion. Is there a garden category where we can all share what we grow? I'll have to look.

I just found a link with a recycled fence that looks just like wood but has the wear of vinyl. Whatever I get MUST be 8 ft tall too. Been living w/closest neighbor over 2 miles away so I need to have some privacy or I'll go into a decline lol!

I read that cedar rots and I didn't know that. I always thought it didn't. How does vinyl stand up to winds from what you guys can tell? Also, I won't be having a white fence. Either a driftwood color or some sort of natural color.

Regarding treated: I always thought that the arsenic in the treated lumber was a no no when growing things - hence, don't make raised beds with treated boards. Is lumber treated differently now perhaps?

Lynnie - what was the question? I didn't quite get what you were asking. It is an ICF house with a privacy fence boardering prop. line - I WISH I could do a concrete fence I was saying. But not enough room or $.

This is me picking out fences > (and everything else for that matter!)

Thank you again
G

 

[Lake View Too]

It does sound like vinyl would be right for you. I've had a cedar fence since '01 and it is holding up just fine, as long as it isn't touching the ground. I built it in a long curved top so it wouldn't be boring. I'm a carpenter and can help you out, if you decide what you want.

 

[beachmouse]

If you buy bigger trees and are willing to baby them the first couple years during the occasional winter hard freeze, you can grow a fair number of citrus types in the area. Lime and lemon are a little on the delicate side, but kumquat, orange, tangerine, satsuma, and grapefruit are all doable. Folks the next street over from me have a fully grown orange tree that was probably planted in the early 80s when the house was built.

Banana is hit or miss because of the cold unless you've got a sheltered courtyard area for them like that place in Rosemary Beach.

 

[NoHall]

Treated wood: I was thinking along different lines. By "treated" I mean be sure you paint it or water-seal it. Even so, I don't think you have the same problems with using treated lumber with fences. With a raised bed, the chemicals leach into the soil.

Wind: Depends on the construction. If it is a solid surface, you'll be more likely to have it blow over. If the fence has some gaps between the slats the wind can get through. I think you can do this without sacrificing too much privacy.

Espalier: You can espalier just about anything. Just cut the limbs of the front and back and plant it slap against the fence. I'm not a fan of blackberries myself, but I love those thornless blackberry plants. They're very cool!

 

[Gidget]

Thanks again for helping guys/gals

I LOVE my thornless blackberries. I took these pics this morning before I popped them into my mouth.

Don't think I will grow citrus as my space is very limited. Perhaps a satsuma - Louisiana Satsumas are incredible! I can usually find decent citrus, but I can not always get decent figs and persimmons and those are a must!

Blueberries and blackberries should be no trouble.

G

Is there a garden thread/post section on this forum?? I would really love to have an ongoing conversation about gardens and local produce selections. I need to look again and see.

 

[Gidget]

It does sound like vinyl would be right for you. I've had a cedar fence since '01 and it is holding up just fine, as long as it isn't touching the ground. I built it in a long curved top so it wouldn't be boring. I'm a carpenter and can help you out, if you decide what you want.

Thanks for the info. So your cedar posts that go in the ground must have been treated right?

G