Wood and timber have many uses in the garden

Wood and timber in the garden

Introduction

Wood and timber have many uses in the garden - including fencing, compost bins, support structures, bed edging and garden furniture. In an organic garden it is important to consider the source of the wood, to minimise the need for wood preservatives, and to use the least damaging preservative treatments, and then only if essential.

The degree of protection that wood requires differs with the type of wood, and the situation it is being used in. Rotting is most likely in situations where the wood is in contact with both moisture and air - such as at the base of fence posts. Where timber is being used for structural purposes, such as decking, then safety takes precedence and it would be wise to use pre-treated wood. If wood is used for bed edging, or a compost box, it can be left untreated; it can last for years without any preservatives.

See also:

Our 'Using wood in the garden' factsheet

Guidelines

Wood and timber in the garden

Best organic practice - the first choice

Sources

Coppice products, from your own garden or allotment - for support structures, bed edging, furniture and other appropriate uses

Protection against rotting

Choose species of wood more resistant to rotting. Species vary considerably in durability.

See also:
- Our 'Using wood in the garden' factsheet
Accept that the wood will rot eventually, and replace it as necessary.

Wood and timber in the garden

Acceptable organic practice

Sources

� 1996 Forest Stewardship Council A.C.

Coppice products bought in from sustainable sources, preferably local - for support structures, bed edging, furniture and other appropriate uses
New timber from sustainable sources, with an accredited mark to prove it. Look for accreditation, such as; the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) or the Soil Association (SA) woodmark. UK or European produced timber is preferable.
Second hand/reclaimed timber - though it can be difficult to know if it has been treated with preservatives
Organically grown timber - only used for furniture at present
Railway sleepers, not treated with creosote or other treatment
Builders scaffolding boards - good for bed edging. Usually untreated, but always check before purchase.

Organically grown timber is not widely available at present, manufactured timber products are very hard to come by.

Protection against rotting

Linseed oil

Timber sold for outdoor use may already have been treated with preservatives, but not labelled as such. Always ask before you buy. Timber sold for indoor use is more likely to be untreated.

Wood and timber in the garden

Acceptable, but not for regular use

Sources

Synthetic 'wood' alternatives: made from recycled materials such as plastics. Fence posts, panels, gates and trellis, gravel boards and boards suitable for bed edging are some of the items available.

Protection against rotting

There are no approved products for use in an organic garden, but there are cases where, for for health and safety issues, for example their use is essential.
For more information see our 'Using wood in the garden' factsheet.

Wood and timber in the garden

Never acceptable in an organic garden

Wood from unsustainable forests, particularly from tropical regions
Wood treated with creosote, including old railway sleepers
'Second hand' wood treated with Copper Chrome Arsenic pressure treatment

Comment Script

Members' Comments

In a bid to being more healthy, I've started to garden a lot more than before. I'm really worried about the amount of wood that is being taken from tropical rainforests. I want to urge everyone to avoid doing this because it's just not worth it.

Senior - 12/07/2009 - 16:24

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