Split-rail fence

– Material:
– Split rail fences made of easy to split, rot-resistant wood.
– Traditionally American chestnut was the timber of choice until chestnut blight eliminated this tree.
– Currently, most split rails are made from cedar.

– Construction:
– Logs are typically cut to a length of 10 to 12 feet and split down the length of the log.
– Each half is then split into quarters, then eighths, and so on until the rails are of a usable size.
– The rails are stacked on top of one another.
– Most split rail fences have the rails stacked in an interlocking zig-zag fashion.
– The distance between the zigs or zags is generally 16.5 feet or one rod.

– Buck-and-rail fence:
– A buck-and-rail fence is a timber rail fence in a three-dimensional A-frame shape.
– Each section consists of two standing vertical A-frames, between which are four to seven horizontal rails or poles.
– Different heights of fences are needed for different animals.
– Buck-and-rail fencing was common in battlefields during the American Civil War.
– These fences can keep larger animals in or out and allow smaller wildlife to pass through.

– Mortised fence:
– In the United Kingdom and suburban America, a different style of split-rail fence is used.
– This style consists of vertical posts placed in the ground with holes (mortises) for split rails.
– No zig-zagging is necessary.
– Commonly used as decorative fencing or for horse-keeping.
– A specific type of post-and-rail fences.

– Patent cedar fence:
– In Canada, several cedar fence designs were patented.
– Known as Patent Cedar Fences, Patent Fences, or Patent Rail Fences.
– The use of two rails to form a cross allowed the fence to be free-standing and withstand heavy winds.
– Took up less space than zigzag or snake fences.
– Designed with top rail, bench rails, and lower heavier rails.