Re: [gardeners] Question about pressure treated wood

George Shirley (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Thu, 22 Feb 2001 10:39:06 -0600 

They are solid cement, usually 6 inches in diameter by 12 or 18 inches long.
Commercial places that pour steps, railroad crossings, preformed walls, etc.
must pour test cores when they make the big pour. Generally they pour two cores,
one gets tested to destruction, the other is held 6 months and then disposed of.
I get the ones that are held 6 months when the hold date expires. I use them to
make my raised beds. Much cheaper than $1.16 cinder blocks. I did find a source
of half sized cinder blocks at Lowe's. They are 4 inches by 8 inches by 16
inches and work well for raised beds and only cost 89 cents each. The test cores
are even better, they're free. Check for places that routinely pour cement in
your area.

George

Alan Zelhart wrote:
> 
> George,
> 
> What are cement test cores?  Where do you get them at?
> 
> --
> Alan        Chandler, Arizona        Sunset Zone: 13
> 
> http://members.home.net/gizmoaz/~gizmoaz.htm
> Over 147 Rose Bushes Planted! 78 Different varieties! Never a dull moment!!
> 
> George Shirley wrote:
> 
> > I know that we try to avoid wood on the ground around here due to the presence
> > of Formosan termites. They are even eating up the older trees. That's the main
> > reason I went to cinder blocks, haven't found anything that will eat them yet. I
> > do have some CCA treated beds but they are being replaced as they age. In
> > addition I have some salvaged redwood 4X4's that are still holding up after 10
> > years on the ground with no signs of rot or termites. They too will be replaced
> > as I salvage more concrete test cores 6"X18".
> >
> > George
> >
> > "Carol J. Bova" wrote:
> > >
> > > Any danger of encouraging subterranean termites in warmer regions using
> > > lumber to make raised beds?  I have several 10 ft pieces of painted 4 x 4's
> > > apparently left over from building the carport. I was thinking of using
> > > them to make raised beds, and the nearest garden beds will be about 10 ft
> > > from my husband's studio... which has a lot of wood components.
> > >          Carol
> > >          In sunny again for the moment Sunland, CA
> > >
> > > ><snp>In the meantime - last year, I decided to do a test, using one bed of CCA
> > > >lumber, one of untreated lumber, and one of untreated-but-painted lumber.
> > > >So far, they're all holding up.
> > > >
> > > >Harry