What are Mixed Reds Hardwood Posts?
Mixed Reds is a trade term used in the Australian timber industry to describe a group of naturally durable red-toned hardwood eucalypts — including species such as Red Ironbark (Eucalyptus tricarpa), Red Mahogany (Eucalyptus resinifera), Grey Ironbark (Eucalyptus paniculata), and related species — that share exceptionally high in-ground durability ratings and are commonly milled together and marketed as a blended in-ground post product. The Mixed Reds group all have a Class 1 in-ground durability rating under AS 5604 (Timber—Natural Durability Ratings), which is the highest rating for Australian timber. This means that the wood can last for 25 years or more in contact with the ground. This natural durability is possible without any chemicals. It depends only on the heartwood's density, tannin content, and natural extractives to keep it from rotting, being attacked by termites, and breaking down in contact with soil.
Why Specify Hardwood Fence Posts?
Ideal Applications
Residential Boundary Fencing
Suburban property boundary fences made of timber paling, Colorbond, or lapped-and-capped styles, where long post life lowers replacement costs.
Rural and Agricultural Fencing
This type of fencing is used on farms, hobby farms, and rural properties to keep animals in paddocks, on the property line, and in stock pens. The posts are exposed to ground moisture, stock pressure, and years of use.
Pool and Safety Fencing
Post footings for wood pool barrier fencing that need to meet AS 1926 standards and stay strong for a long time.
Retaining Structures
Hardwood posts for post-and-rail retaining wall systems on slopes, garden terraces, and other landscape structures where the ground needs to be able to hold weight.
Commercial and Industrial Perimeter Fencing
Long-lasting property perimeter and security fencing for businesses, factories, and utility infrastructure
Driveway and Entrance Gates
Structural gate posts that are strong enough to hold the weight and swing loads of heavy driveway gates for decades without moving.
Vineyard & Orchard Trellis
End and corner posts for wire trellis systems in vineyards and orchards where the posts have to hold up wire tension loads in agricultural ground conditions.
Hardwood Fence Post Specifications
Species Group
Mixed Reds Hardwood — blended group of naturally durable red eucalypts including Red Ironbark, Red Mahogany, and related species
In-Ground Durability
Class 1 to AS 5604 — 25+ years life expectancy in ground contact; highest natural durability classification
Above-Ground Durability
Class 1 to AS 5604 — 40+ years life expectancy in protected above-ground applications
Termite Resistance
Resistant — dense heartwood provides natural resistance to subterranean termite attack
Chemical Treatment
Not required — natural Class 1 durability achieved without preservative treatment
Colour
Deep red-brown to red-grey heartwood; varies across the Mixed Reds species blend
Density
High — typically 900–1100 kg/m³ depending on species component; dense and heavy
Available Sections
100×100mm, 125×125mm — standard fence post sections; contact JVS Timber for current stock
Available Lengths
1.8m, 2.1m, 2.4m, 2.7m, 3.0m — standard post lengths; other lengths available on request
Post Profile
Sawn hardwood — rough-sawn face is standard for fence posts; pointed tips available on request
Typical Uses
Residential, rural, commercial, pool, retaining, gate, and agricultural fencing and trellis applications
Sourcing
Responsibly sourced from Australian hardwood forest operations
Installation Guidance for Hardwood Fence Posts
Mixed Reds hardwood posts are dense and require pre-drilling for all nail and screw fixings to prevent splitting, particularly near post ends. Use hot-dipped galvanised or stainless steel fixings throughout — hardwood tannins accelerate corrosion of bare steel and zinc-plated fixings, causing fastener failure and timber staining well before the post's natural service life is reached. For direct-set posts in granular or clay soils, compact the backfill in layers for maximum post stability. For concrete-set posts — gate posts, corner posts, and high-load structural posts — ensure the concrete collar is tapered or domed at the surface to shed water away from the post, preventing moisture pooling at the ground line where decay risk is highest even in durable hardwood species.