Eucalyptus poles are one of those pieces that solve a lot with very little: a rustic pergola, a boundary fence, plant supports in a vegetable garden or the edging of a path. We take orders for them every day, and almost always with the same question behind them: which diameter is right, and can they be buried.
This guide answers both, and everything that usually follows. No waffle, with the real sizes we stock.
What a eucalyptus pole is, and how it differs from a pine post
A eucalyptus pole is a debarked round piece with a natural look, from fast-growing plantations. It is not planed or calibrated the way pine is: it keeps its original shape, with slight variations in diameter along the piece. That irregular character is exactly what people are after when they want a rustic finish.
Compared with treated pine, eucalyptus has noticeably higher density and mechanical strength. It copes well with bending and impact, which makes it interesting in structures that will carry load or tension. And because it comes from short-cycle plantations, it is very competitive when you need volume.
Pine, on the other hand, arrives calibrated, with a constant diameter and an even greenish finish. It is the option when you want regularity and, above all, when the piece is going to live underground.
Use class 3: what to understand before buying
This is the point that prevents the most misunderstandings, so we will be blunt about it.
Our eucalyptus poles are treated to use class 3. That class covers timber outdoors without permanent contact with the ground: pergolas, raised structures, railings, decorative elements, and fences whose supports sit on an anchor.
For the part that goes into the ground you need use class 4, the only one designed to live with the constant moisture of the soil. If your project calls for driving the timber straight into the ground, the right choice is a pine post pressure-treated to class 4.
This does not rule eucalyptus out: it puts it where it performs. In fact, the most common combination among our customers is a class 4 pine base in the ground with a eucalyptus structure above it.
Available sizes and how to choose the diameter
We stock eucalyptus poles in five diameters and two lengths, plus pallet quantities for large jobs:
- Ø 5-7 cm · 100 and 200 cm long
- Ø 7-9 cm · 100 and 200 cm long
- Ø 9-11 cm · 100 and 200 cm long
- Ø 11-13 cm · 100 and 200 cm long
- Ø 13-15 cm · 100 and 200 cm long
- Pallet of 240 poles · 2400 or 3000 mm, Ø 2-5 cm
Diameter is a structural question, not an aesthetic one. As a practical guide:
- 5-7 cm: plant supports, low palisades, planters, decorative elements and dividers.
- 7-11 cm: rustic fencing, railings, light garden structures.
- 11-15 cm: pergolas, porches and any structure that will carry a roof, heavy planting or wind load.
When you hesitate between two adjacent diameters and the piece will be under load, go up. The price difference is small and the safety margin is large.
The most common uses for eucalyptus poles
Pergolas and porches
This is their star use. The round, natural look suits Mediterranean gardens, beach bars, country houses and pool areas. As they sit raised on an anchor or a footing, class 3 treatment is the right one.
Rustic fencing and palisades
Set vertically and close together they form a solid palisade; alternated with horizontal rails, a classic estate fence. If you want full screening, they work well with a framed pine trellis or with bamboo screening.
Vegetable gardens, plant supports and agriculture
The smaller diameters work as supports for fruit trees, frames for climbing crops and light greenhouse structures. The pallet is the logical option when you need hundreds of units.
Landscaping and edging
Cut to different heights and lined up, they define beds, paths and level changes. For steps and low retaining walls, the material that works best is wooden sleepers.
How to install them so they last
The durability of a eucalyptus pole depends far less on the timber than on how it is fitted. Five rules that make the difference:
- Do not bury it directly. Use a metal anchor bolted to a footing, or a support that keeps the timber off the ground. That is what turns a class 3 structure into a long-lasting installation.
- Seal every cut. Cutting exposes untreated timber, and that end grain is the way in for fungi. Apply insecticide and fungicide primer to every cut, without exception.
- Finish concrete sloping outwards. A flat pad forms a bowl that holds water exactly in the critical area. A small cone lets it run off.
- Ventilate the base. Ten centimetres of gravel under the support stop the bottom end sitting in standing water.
- Respect the spacing between supports. Between 2 and 2.5 m for standard fencing; drop to 2 m in exposed, windy spots or with tensioned mesh.
Maintenance
With no surface treatment, eucalyptus exposed to the sun turns a silvery grey, like any timber outdoors. It is an aesthetic change, not structural decay.
If you want to keep the warm tone, apply an exterior oil or wood stain every one or two years, depending on exposure. Before the first coat, let the piece settle for a few weeks and make sure it is dry.
Price: what drives the cost
Three factors govern the final price of eucalyptus poles: diameter, length and, above all, quantity. Buying by the pallet changes the unit price completely, so for long fencing runs or agricultural projects it is worth doing the sums before buying loose.
To that you have to add transport: these are long pieces and their delivery has its own conditions. If your order is a large one, write to us and we will put together a fixed quote with transport included.
Frequently asked questions
Can eucalyptus poles be buried?
Not advisable with use class 3 treatment. For the buried part you need class 4. The correct solution is a metal anchor or a class 4 pine base.
How long do they last?
Almost entirely down to the installation. Raised on an anchor, with sealed cuts and a ventilated base, they last many years. Driven straight into damp ground, they degrade in very few.
Poles or posts? Are they the same thing?
In everyday use, yes. A round debarked piece is called a pole or a round timber, and a post when it does a structural job. On our product page you will find them as eucalyptus posts.
Can they be cut to size?
Yes, with a bandsaw or a chainsaw depending on the diameter. Remember to seal the cut every time.
What diameter do I need for a pergola?
For a pergola that will carry planting or bamboo screening, start at Ø 11-13 cm for the uprights. If the span between supports is over 3 m, or the site is windy, go up to Ø 13-15 cm.
Is eucalyptus sustainable?
It comes from fast-growing plantations, with felling cycles far shorter than those of a traditional hardwood, which reduces pressure on mature forest.
Quick summary
- Eucalyptus poles stand out for density, strength and price.
- They are treated to use class 3: outdoors, without permanent ground contact.
- Available from Ø 5 to 15 cm, in 100 and 200 cm, and by the pallet of 240 units.
- Their service life is decided by the installation: anchoring, sealed cuts and drainage.
See treated eucalyptus poles · Guide to fence posts
Not sure about the diameter or the quantity for your project? Write to us at info@kamikspace.com or on WhatsApp and we will work it out with you, with no obligation.
