What are Mixed Reds Hardwood Posts?
Mixed Reds is a recognised Australian timber trade designation for a blended group of high-durability red eucalypt species that share similar structural properties, colour characteristics, and — critically — Class 1 natural durability ratings for both in-ground and above-ground applications. The group typically includes: Red Ironbark (Eucalyptus tricarpa / sideroxylon) — one of Australia's hardest and most durable eucalypts, with exceptional density and natural resistance to decay and termite attack. Red Mahogany (Eucalyptus resinifera) — a large-diameter coastal hardwood with high natural durability and characteristic red-brown heartwood. Grey Ironbark (Eucalyptus paniculata) — extremely dense and durable hardwood, widely regarded as one of the toughest structural timbers in the Australian species list. Related red eucalypt species — other naturally durable red-toned hardwoods meeting the durability criteria of the Mixed Reds classification Because these species share comparable durability and structural properties, they are commonly milled and supplied together as Mixed Reds — giving buyers access to the full in-ground durability performance of the group without being limited to the availability of any single species at any given time.
Why Mixed Reds Hardwood Posts Outperform in the Ground
Ideal Applications
Residential Boundary Fencing
Suburban property boundary fences come in many styles, including paling, Colorbond, lapped-and-capped, and pool barrier.
Rural and Agricultural Fencing
Boundary, paddock, stock containment, and exclusion fencing on farms, rural properties, and hobby farms all over Victoria
Gate Posts
These are structural posts for pedestrian and driveway gates that need to be strong and dense enough to handle swing and wind loads for decades.
Pool Barrier Fencing
Post footings for pool barrier fencing that meets AS 1926 standards, which require the structure to be strong and the posts to last a long time• Retaining Structures: Post-and-rail and post-and-plank retaining wall systems for garden terraces, embankments, and landscape retaining structures
Commercial and Industrial Perimeter Fencing
Long-lasting security and boundary fencing for businesses, factories, and utilities
Vineyard and Orchard Trellis Systems
End posts and strainer posts for wire trellis systems that hold wire tension in agricultural settings.
Structural Landscape Posts
These are feature posts, pergola footings, and landscape structure posts that are designed to hold a lot of weight and last a long time.
Product Specifications
Species Group
Mixed Reds Hardwood — blended group of Class 1 naturally durable red eucalypts
Typical Species
Red Ironbark, Red Mahogany, Grey Ironbark, and related high-durability red eucalypts
In-Ground Durability
Class 1 to AS 5604 — 25+ years life expectancy in direct ground contact
Above-Ground Durability
Class 1 to AS 5604 — 40+ years life expectancy in above-ground protected applications
Termite Resistance
Resistant — dense heartwood provides natural resistance to subterranean termite attack
Chemical Treatment
Not required — natural Class 1 durability; no preservative treatment needed for in-ground use
Density
Typically 900–1100 kg/m³ depending on species component — dense, heavy, high nail and bolt retention
Colour
Deep red-brown to red-grey heartwood; characteristic of the Mixed Reds species group
Post Profile
Sawn hardwood — rough-sawn face standard; pointed tips available on request
Available Sections
75×75mm, 100×100mm, 125×125mm — contact JVS Timber for current stock
Available Lengths
1.8m, 2.1m, 2.4m, 2.7m, 3.0m — contact JVS Timber for current stock; other lengths on request
Sourcing
Responsibly sourced from Australian hardwood forest operations
Natural Durability — What Class 1 Means in Practice
Under AS 5604 (Timber — Natural Durability Ratings), Class 1 is the highest in-ground durability classification available for Australian timber. It indicates that the heartwood of the species has demonstrated resistance to fungal decay and biological deterioration in ground contact sufficient to provide a service life of 25 years or more under average Australian conditions, without chemical preservative treatment. This natural durability is a function of the density, extractive content, and cellular structure of the heartwood. The high concentrations of tannins, phenols, and other naturally occurring compounds in Mixed Reds heartwood create an environment that inhibits the fungi, bacteria, and insects responsible for timber decay in the ground. This is why Mixed Reds posts remain structurally sound in the ground long after the fencing attached to them has been replaced — the post outlasts the fence.
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