Calculating the height of a stake
The height of your fencing determines the useful height of the stake above ground (A – see diagram below).
The stake is driven in to 1/3 of its total length (B = 1/3 H). The length to order is therefore H = A × 1.5.
Example: for a 1.20 m fence, order a 1.80 m stake – it will be driven in 60 cm and stand 1.20 m above ground.
To fence a pasture, a paddock or a game enclosure: robinia stakes and fencing for livestock.
Fence height (A)
1.00 m
1.20 m
1.30 m
1.50 m
1.80 m
2.00 m
Stake to order (H)
1.60 m
1.80 m
2.00 m
2.50 m
3.00 m
3.00 m
Part in the ground (B)
60 cm
60 cm
70 cm
1.00 m
1.20 m
1.00 m
When stony ground prevents a robinia post from being driven to the recommended depth (one third of its length), an effective solution is to build a concrete ring around its base. This concrete ring gives the post a solid footing, makes up for the missing depth and also helps water drain away, so the wood is not damaged. To do this, dig a small trench around the post, pour in fresh concrete and smooth it outwards so water runs off. This keeps the post firmly in place, even in difficult ground.
To take up the tension of your fence properly, fit a brace at every corner and in each direction of the fence. Make the braces as long as your posts and fix them at about 1/3 of the height of the post they support. In some cases – very tall posts, heavy loads or extreme weather – two braces are recommended.
Calculating the spacing between stakes
One of the questions we hear most often: what spacing do I need between the robinia posts of my fence?
Here are the recommended fence heights and post spacings, in metres, for each type of animal, whether livestock or wildlife:
Livestock:
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Cattle:
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Fence height: 1.3 metres
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Spacing between stakes: 4 metres.
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Horses:
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Fence height: 1.3–1.8 metres.
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Spacing between stakes: 3 metres.
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Sheep and goats:
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Fence height: 1 to 1.2 metres.
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Spacing between stakes: 3 to 4 metres.
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Use fine-mesh fencing so small animals cannot slip through.
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Pigs:
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Fence height: 0.9 to 1 metre.
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Spacing between stakes: 2.5 to 3 metres.
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Make sure the fence is firmly anchored so pigs cannot push it over.
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Wildlife:
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Wild boar:
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Fence height: 1.3 metres.
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Spacing between stakes: 3 to 3.5 metres.
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Make sure you have a solid underground barrier to stop digging.
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Deer:
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Fence height: 2.5 to 3 metres.
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Spacing between stakes: 3 to 4 metres.
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Tension the fence well to close any gaps.
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Wolves:
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Fence height: 2.5 to 3 metres.
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Spacing between stakes: 2.5 to 3 metres.
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A solid underground barrier is needed to prevent digging.
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A well-tensioned fence stops animals from lifting it or getting through. Wild boar, for example, push their snout between the meshes of the fencing. If the boar feels the mesh give, it keeps pushing until it gets through – even strong knotted fencing will come apart. If the fencing is taut, the boar feels the tension and does not try to push through.
Frequently asked questions
What length of stake should I order?
Allow one third of the stake in the ground: the length to order is the fence height × 1.5. For a 1.20 m fence, take a 1.80 m stake driven 60 cm deep. A 2 m stake gives a fence of about 1.30 m, a 2.50 m stake about 1.70 m, a 3 m stake about 2 m.
How far apart should fence stakes be?
It depends on the animals: 4 m for cattle, 3 m for horses, 3 to 4 m for sheep and goats, 2.50 to 3 m for pigs. For wildlife: 3 to 3.50 m against wild boar, 3 to 4 m for deer, 2.50 to 3 m against wolves.
How high should the fence be for each animal?
Cattle: 1.30 m. Horses: 1.30 to 1.80 m. Sheep and goats: 1 to 1.20 m. Pigs: 0.90 to 1 m. Wild boar: 1.30 m. Deer and wolves: 2.50 to 3 m.
Which stake diameter should I choose?
It depends on how you install them. 6-8 cm is the homeowner's stake: easy to drive by hand or with a sledgehammer. Professionals use 8-10 cm for a more economical fence and, above all, 10-12 cm, the most common size, installed with a post driver mounted on an excavator; some go up to 12-14 cm. For corners and straining points: 14-16, 16-18 or even 18-20 cm. Diameter is measured at the middle of the stake, not at the thin end.
How do I brace corner posts?
Fit a strut at each corner, in each direction of the fence. It is the same height as the post and is fixed at about one third of its height. For tall posts, heavy loads or harsh weather, use two. At corners, use posts of 14-16 to 18-20 cm diameter, long posts or square stakes.
How many struts does a fence need?
Count one strut in each direction at every corner, plus about one every 50 m along straight runs. For 500 m of fence, that is about ten struts, plus those at the corners.
What if the ground is too stony to drive the stake one third deep?
Pour a concrete collar around the base of the stake, smoothed outwards so that water runs off. It makes up for the lack of depth and protects the wood.
Your robinia stakes: round, sawn, square and long corner posts, from 1.20 to 3.50 m and longer, on our stakes page. For fencing pastures, paddocks or game enclosures: robinia stakes and fencing for livestock. Delivered by half or full truckload from our factory in Romania.