From what I've read, heard, and been told, it's better to treat the posts when they are green. A dry post will have more difficulty soaking in the treatment, no matter what it is. The folks at Poles Inc., recommend treating green posts; soak then brush on. I think that spraying would be fine, but I'm not sure if I want all that chemical floating in the air that I breathe. I wear rubber gloves, respirator, and work outdoors. So far, so good. I have let fuel oil and used motor fuel set for a while, and then soaked the ends of my posts in that muck. Usually for a month or so, and that has been a good mix.
The pressure treatment plant near me will buy poplar/pine cants for their product, but will only buy them green cut. Even under pressure, they require green lumber for treatment. If I had my way, I'd dry some locust posts and set them anywhere. In Southern Maryland, we had plenty of locust, and it will last a lifetime if dried before put in the ground. The stuff will throw sparks off of a chainsaw, if you let it set for a year or so. All the old timers would cut white oak in the summer (sap up the tree), and put those posts in used motor oil for posts as well. The sap is supposed to be a natural preservative. The latest craze is to charcoal the ends of posts before planting. Anyone who has tried to burn a stump out of the ground, knows that a burnt stump will stay in the ground FOREVER! Never try burning a stump if you want the darn thing to rot. Just won't happen.....
Good to hear from you, Cutting Edge! I will be needing some more bands if the weather ever dries up!
Joe