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Green branches are more flexible and easier to work with, but they'll shrink as they dry, which can loosen your fence weave over time—so you'll need to weave them extra tight to account for shrinkage. Some species, particularly willow, may also try to sprout when used green. For these reasons, it’s typically easiest to use branches that have dried for a week or two.

This depends mainly on how well the posts were installed and what type of wood was used to build the gate in the first place. Softwoods have a life expectancy of up to 15 years but can last slightly longer with regular maintenance and waterproofing treatments. By contrast, hardwoods can last up to 30 years with little care, so you may avoid costly replacements by spending a little more upfront.

While they can be closer, the maximum distance between fence posts for residential fences is 8 feet. This ensures the panels are adequately supported by the fence posts. This is usually dictated by the width of the panel, which is typically between 5 and 8 feet. While narrower panels will require more posts, they’ll be lighter and easier to work with than wider panels that are the same height.

Determining the best type of fence to contain your pet can be tricky. Consult a pet fence installer and consider the following questions:

• What size pet do you have? Some fence types, like chain link, are too short to contain large dogs.

• Is digging an issue? Some fences, like brick or stone, help minimize digging at the fence line, where wood fences aren’t as adequate. 

• Do you need to block your pet’s view of the neighbor's yard? Some fences, like metal iron fencing and chain link, don’t offer an obstructed view.