Can you paint them with a good latex paint to give them longer life?

Neither does cedar have the longevity that people imagine and attribute to it. You'll probably get at least 5 years out of cheap landscape timbers. They are not real strong so will work for a light duty fence like wire. If you're just trying to keep out rabbits & chickens it would work fine.

Thanks, that is what I was hoping I'd hear. The paint is not a bad idea. They come stained but not treated. I've also though about digging the post holes about 6" deeper than I want them set and putting gravel in the bottom.

The landscape timbers I know are treated but not stained. ?

These are the opposite. They have a cherry stain on them but are not treated with anything else.

Then you'll probably be lucky to get a year or two out of the in-ground part.

In that case I think I'll just use good pressure treated 4x4s at the corners and put a couple along each side (50' x 60') and hope they lend enough stability to keep it all together for a while!

Aren't there post holders that allow you to keep the wood out of the ground, and replace posts easily? Of course, that adds $$.

You might have better luck looking on craigslist for used lumber - the free listings, or for sale very cheap.

Karin L

You can dip the ends of the landscape timbers in Copper Green to the depth they will be buried. Let them soak awhile. They will last quite a bit longer. Also if you cut a pressure treated 4X4 do the same to the cut end even if you don't bury it- pressure treating only penetrates a little way into the wood.