Cut pressure treated timber

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I have used pressure treated timber to make some raised beds for vegetable growing. The garden is sloping so I'm now going to level them using timber cut at an angle. The 'cut' side of the timber will be in contact with the ground and I'm concerned about it rotting due to the pressure treated surface having been cut through.

Does anyone know if this will be a problem and if so how to alleviate it eg should I put a layer of plastic between the timber and the earth? I though about treating it with wood preservative but the timber is very wet and the preservative is not suitable for 'wood used for growing food'.

Any ideas?
 
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Yorky, i'm no expert, but i would've thought that the plastic would be as bad as contact with the soil... condensation etc... air is the best thing to keep it dry.
I made a number of raised beds a couple of years ago, and did nothing the the cut edges and so far they are as good as when they went in. I figured if and when they rot, i'll replace them... but i'm guessing that will be many years yet
 
Isn't the wood saturated by the preservative as part of the vacuum process, so even if you cut the edge there will still be preservative there? When I put raised beds in on a slope I dig the timber into the ground, which also helps to keep the improved soil in place instead of being washed away through the gap which would remain if you simply placed the timber on the surface.
 
exactly right. you dont need to worry. you can coat the ends with cuprinol etc.
 
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You could also char them with a flame thrower or powerful blowlamp.
 
Hi
Contrary to some peoples beliefs ....the pressure treatment process does NOT totally impregnate the timber! ( cros cut a piece of treated timber and not the small ring of treatment around the perimeter )
Therefore you should treat all cut edges as untreated.

All good timber merchants should be able supply a cut egde preservative eg "Endseal" or "cut & Treat"
 

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