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Oak & Chestnut Cleft Fencing
Cleft fencing is the original method by which our ancestors fenced their land thousands of years ago. Still continued today by a few skilled craftsmen, cleft oak or chestnut fencing makes a durable, and very strong, attractive barrier.

The best materials for this are oak or chestnut; both of which have a high resilient strength, are suitable to cleave or split and have a high natural tannin content protecting the wood from rot. Chestnut with its very high tannin content and minimal sap wood provides the best durability as posts set into the ground. We now mostly use chestnut which we find more durable than oak, though we will still use oak when requested. A 20 to 25 year life span would be expected.

All materials are locally harvested and riven (split) by hand into posts, rails or upright broad pales.

Matching gates from riven chestnut or oak are available.
Cleft Fencing
Riven oak rails morticed into oak posts for the National Trust. Top rail at 4`, materials £19.43/metre. CLICK TO ENLARGE.
Riven oak rails morticed into oak posts for the National Trust. Top rail at 4`, materials £19.43/metre.		Cleft chestnut rails surrounding a car park are in keeping with the woodland setting.Top rail at 3`, materials £19.02/metre CLICK TO ENLARGE.
Cleft chestnut rails surrounding a car park are in keeping with the woodland setting.Top rail at 3`, materials £19.02/metre
Cleft chestnut paddock fence at 4 feet high with four rails. Note the round corner posts.Top rail at 4`, materials £19.43/metre CLICK TO ENLARGE.
Cleft chestnut paddock fence at 4 feet high with four rails. Note the round corner posts.Top rail at 4`, materials £19.43/metre		This riven chestnut fence at three feet high delineates this orchard with style.Top rail at 4`, materials £15.32/metre CLICK TO ENLARGE.
This riven chestnut fence at three feet high delineates this orchard with style.Top rail at 4`, materials £15.32/metre
The boundary of this property is lined with cleft chestnut estate fencing.Top rail at 4`, materials £15.32/metre CLICK TO ENLARGE.
The boundary of this property is lined with cleft chestnut estate fencing.Top rail at 4`, materials £15.32/metre		Cleft chestnut fencing can separate a garden from the countryside in a more gentle manner than a standard agricultural post and rail fence.Top rail at 4`, materials £15.32/metre CLICK TO ENLARGE.
Cleft chestnut fencing can separate a garden from the countryside in a more gentle manner than a standard agricultural post and rail fence.Top rail at 4`, materials £15.32/metre
Here, a simple two rail riven fence breaks up a large garden, incorporating a decorative arch.Top rail at 3`, materials £11.20/metre CLICK TO ENLARGE.
Here, a simple two rail riven fence breaks up a large garden, incorporating a decorative arch.Top rail at 3`, materials £11.20/metre		Traditional cleft fencing fits well in a rural setting of woods, field and hedgerows.Top rail at 4`, materials £11.20/metre CLICK TO ENLARGE.
Traditional cleft fencing fits well in a rural setting of woods, field and hedgerows.Top rail at 4`, materials £11.20/metre
Oak fencing surrounding a lake adds to the character of this rural scene.Top rail at 3`, materials £14.86/metre CLICK TO ENLARGE.
Oak fencing surrounding a lake adds to the character of this rural scene.Top rail at 3`, materials £14.86/metre		Each set of rails has a similar shape since they are riven from the same log.Top rail at 4`, materials £14.86/metre CLICK TO ENLARGE.
Each set of rails has a similar shape since they are riven from the same log.Top rail at 4`, materials £14.86/metre
Upright chestnut pales are nailed to the cleft rails in a medieval deer park style. Various configurations of rails and pales are possible.Top rail at 4`, materials £24.09/metre CLICK TO ENLARGE.
Upright chestnut pales are nailed to the cleft rails in a medieval deer park style. Various configurations of rails and pales are possible.Top rail at 4`, materials £24.09/metre		Half round chestnut pales nailed onto rails and supported by chestnut posts, make a less heavy type of fence around a fruit garden.Top rail at 4`, materials £28/metre CLICK TO ENLARGE.
Half round chestnut pales nailed onto rails and supported by chestnut posts, make a less heavy type of fence around a fruit garden.Top rail at 4`, materials £28/metre
An attractive cleft pale fence with matching gate keeps sheep from the garden.Top rail at 3`, materials £18.42/metre CLICK TO ENLARGE.
An attractive cleft pale fence with matching gate keeps sheep from the garden.Top rail at 3`, materials £18.42/metre		A traditional pale fence for the National Trust at Dunham Massey, Cheshire.Top rail at 4`, materials £22.80/metre CLICK TO ENLARGE.
A traditional pale fence for the National Trust at Dunham Massey, Cheshire.Top rail at 4`, materials £22.80/metre
Chestnut pales line a bridge at Lyme Park, National Trust. CLICK TO ENLARGE.
Chestnut pales line a bridge at Lyme Park, National Trust.		The riven pales give the bridge balustrade a rustic appearance. Fencing with cleft pale Cheshire is a traditional sight. CLICK TO ENLARGE.
The riven pales give the bridge balustrade a rustic appearance. Fencing with cleft pale Cheshire is a traditional sight.
Gate hurdles: made from chestnut, traditionally used to pen sheep. CLICK TO ENLARGE.
Gate hurdles: made from chestnut, traditionally used to pen sheep.		Gate hurdles are portable, yet strong fences used as temporary barriers. Much more attractive than modern plastic orange netting. CLICK TO ENLARGE.
Gate hurdles are portable, yet strong fences used as temporary barriers. Much more attractive than modern plastic orange netting.
Click on a photo to enlarge in a new window.

Prices

For materials alone (oak or chestnut)

Rails - standard length of 9 feet £10.00.
Posts - £1.50 per foot plus £3.50 per mortice hole (to accept a pair of rails).
Pales - 60p per foot at 3 to 5 inches wide.
Gate Hurdles - standard size 3 feet 6 inches by 6 feet £75.00

VAT Not Applicable

Delivery and instalment is available.
Please contact us for more details.
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Oak and Chestnut Cleft Fencing
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