I want to make a compost bin. I heard you shouldn't use treated wood. What stops the wood from rotting?

Answer 1

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One of the best and simplest compost bins I made was using a roll of rectangular wire fencing sometimes called rabbit fence from a farm supply or pet store. I used tent stakes to create a square and set it up so I could open up one side to turn the pile on occasion. The wire allows some air into the pile but retains the works. You can also use a piece of 6 mil visqueen or a tarp to control the amount of moisture (rainfall) in the compost pile. It's inexpensive and easy to construct.

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Asker's Comment:

I'll look for rabbit fence. Thanks

Answer 2

there is arsenic in treated (wolmanized) wood.

Answer 3

Scroll down this screen to see the different type you can build:

http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/ag…

Answer 4

Treated wood is just that---it has been treated with things you would not want in your soil. When wood is in contact with moist soil it will break down in time. How quickly depends upon the type of wood used. If it is untreated wood it will add to the nutrient value of your compost.
One of the hardest wood that grows in the US is called larch from the Tamarac tree. I have used it to border very wet areas. It will last in a boggy soil for many years.

Answer 5

Yes, don't use treated or creosoted logs for compost. They use a copper based arsenic formula to kill insects, which can make it's way into your new vegetable garden.

Answer 6

If you want a wood type bin then use Trex type deck material. It is a bit expensive but it will last a long time and is safe.

I made my wife's potting bench form Trex and it turned out really nice.

Answer 7

We made ours out of treated wood. I'm not worried about it.


Use cedar.

Or put 4 metal stakes in the ground, ring them with chicken wire and viola you have a compost bin.