Using railroad ties for garden beds can pose a threat to your soil, pets and children, as well as the food you grow. Railroad ties are thick, durable, cheap, recycled wood that forms long-lasting barriers for beds, paths, and retaining walls.
Are treated railroad ties safe for landscaping?
It's common to see old railroad ties used in landscaping as retaining walls, landscape edging or raised planter beds, but are there dangers of treated railroad ties you should consider? Railroad ties are treated with chemical preservatives, such as creosote and chromated copper arsenate.
Can you use railroad ties for vegetable gardening?
Even though railroad ties might seem like the perfect method to manage your vegetable garden, it is not always the case. If you’re buying new railroad ties, these will be covered with creosote, made from a mixture of hundreds of chemicals to preserve the wood.
Are creosote railroad ties safe for plants?
Railroad ties are treated with chemical preservatives, such as creosote and chromated copper arsenate. Both of these chemicals are banned for residential use, and they're potentially harmful to humans and plants. Make sure you understand the risks of using creosote railroad ties in your landscaping.
Is it safe to burn railroad ties?
Once the ties are out, they should be disposed of. Whatever you do, don’t burn the ties! This releases toxic gases that can be even more dangerous than simple topical contamination. The railroad ties in vegetable gardens that are so common as raised bed barriers pose the worst threat.
Do railroad ties contaminate soil?
Even topical contact with creosote can be dangerous. For this reason, it is unwise to use railroad ties in vegetable gardens where contact is inevitable. Additionally, as the wood slowly breaks down, it will release this toxic brew into your soil, contaminating it and your food.
Are railroad ties safe for landscaping?
The EPA pulls no punches about the danger of railroad ties in gardens. Even though some home centers still sell recovered railroad ties, they are not fit for home landscapes. If your landscape came with ties installed by a previous owner, consider removing them and any contaminated soil.
How long do railroad ties last in the garden?
30 yearsWhat are treated railroad ties? Treated railroad ties, crossties or wooden sleepers are made primarily from wood and then treated with a preservative so they can last 30 years or more. They're also great for the environment.
Do all railroad ties have creosote?
As documented in the recent report (1) for the Association of American Railroads (AAR), approximately 95% of all new railroad ties are preserved wood, as opposed to non-wood products of concrete, steel, or plastic. Of the wooden ties purchased, 98% are either creosote or creosote-borate treated.
How toxic are old railroad ties?
Railroad ties can leach creosote into soil and water systems. Eating food or drinking water with high levels of creosote may cause burning in the mouth and throat, stomach pains, severe skin irritation, convulsions, and kidney and liver problems in humans.
Are railroad ties hazardous?
Used ties are generally not classified a hazardous waste under federal law because they are not a "listed waste" and an abundance of testing has demonstrated that they do not exhibit a hazardous characteristic. However, waste generators cannot automatically assume used ties destined for disposal are non-hazardous.
Do plants absorb creosote?
Although several writers indicate that plant roots do not absorb creosote, the EPA says: "If the soil in your yard was contaminated by creosote in the past, you should probably not grow food in it.
What can you use instead of railroad ties?
A better choice would be Pecky Cedar and Alaskan Yellow Cedar. You'll get the same gorgeous look, without the high cost. While many landscape timbers are resistant to rot, they are not as resistant as pressure-treated lumber or railroad ties.
Are railroad ties pressure treated?
Railroad ties are treated with an oil-based preservative (creosote). As opposed to water, which evaporates, oil doesn't dry. This can result in the creosote migrating out of the wood timber, especially if it's a large, vertical piece.
How long does it take for creosote to leach out of railroad ties?
Complete decomposition is assumed to occur over approximately 40 to over 100 years. In areas where access is practical, some ties may be reclaimed by residents for landscape or fence uses, but the ties would still decay in about the same time.
Is creosote toxic to humans?
These reports indicate that brief exposure to large amounts of coal tar creosote may result in a rash or severe irritation of the skin, chemical burns of the surfaces of the eye, convulsions and mental confusion, kidney or liver problems, unconsciousness, or even death.
How often do railroad ties need to be replaced?
But on average, rail lasts about 700 million gross tons of traffic. To put that in perspective, your line through Austin probably carries about 50 MGT a year, which means the rail will last about 20 years (although less on the curves at each end of the Town Lake bridge).
How do you use railroad ties for landscaping?
How to Secure Landscape Railroad TiesExcavate a trench to accommodate the bottom layer of railroad ties. ... Tamp the soil at the bottom of the trench to compact it.Place the first layer of railroad ties in the prepared trench. ... Drill holes about a foot away from the ends into each railroad tie.More items...
Can I use railroad ties for a retaining wall?
A Deadman railroad tie is a railroad tie that runs perpendicular to the retaining wall and into the hill that you are building the retaining wall against. Deadman ties are great for ensuring the retaining wall is as solid as possible. We recommend using a deadman railroad tie every 20 feet of your retaining wall.
Do plants absorb creosote?
Although several writers indicate that plant roots do not absorb creosote, the EPA says: "If the soil in your yard was contaminated by creosote in the past, you should probably not grow food in it.
What is the best material for a raised garden bed?
Cedar or Redwood Cedar and redwood are the two best choices of wood to build raised garden beds with. They're both very durable, beautiful, and naturally resistant to moisture, rot, and even termites. The cost of each can vary significantly depending on where you live.
Why are railroad ties bad for landscapes?
The problem with railroad ties is that they’re often made from treated wood. That type of wood has been used for railroad tracks since John Stevens, the father of American railroads, went into business. So why is it good for railroads but not good for your landscape? Two reasons, creosote and chromated copper arsenate or CCA for short. So what are these? And what do they have to do with railroad ties and your garden?
How to make a railroad ties garden?
Make sure it’s level. Cut the railroad ties to the desired length using a saw. Lay the ties in the trench in a row, making sure there’s no space between each tie end and the one next to it.
How to dispose of railroad ties?
The best way to dispose of railroad ties is through a professional. Since this type of wood is illegal in many states, you should consult with the local authorities about the best ways to safely get rid of it.
What is the best material to use for a raised garden bed?
Fill the gaps between the ties with the excess soil. Make sure the wood ties are made from untreated wood. Cedar is an ideal candidate for building raised beds in your garden. It’s durable and has a high resistance to mites and the erosion of the elements.
How to lay second row of ties?
Lay the second row of ties starting from the opposite direction so that the spaces between the ties are not aligned with the layer below it.
Do railroad ties harm your garden?
The first thing you should do is take the railroad ties out of your garden bed s, lawn, or property. As long as they remain in the soil, they pose a health risk to anybody who comes near to them. Moreover, the chemicals in the wood tend to leach into the soil in the presence of moisture which contaminates your garden and veggies.
Where to install tie in trench?
Install the ties in the trench in rows above each other, making sure the holes in each tie are aligned with those of the ones above and below them.
What woods are rot resistant?
To avoid preservatives completely, choose from among several woods that are naturally rot-resistant, such as heartwood-grade redwood, knotty red cedar, cypress, catalpa, juniper, or Osage orange. Construction-grade heartwood can last so long that you'll probably want to redesign your bed before it falls apart. Availability often depends on your locale. The plastics industry has other options, including recycled plastic and plastic mixed with sawdust. They look and handle similar to wood, will last for years outdoors, and don't leach any chemicals.
Does plastic last outdoors?
Availability often depends on your locale. The plastics industry has other options, including recycled plastic and plastic mixed with sawdust. They look and handle similar to wood, will last for years outdoors, and don't leach any chemicals.
Can you put plastic in a creosote bed?
Whether plants take up the creosote has not been settled. However, because creosote is toxic, new ties can cause growth problems for plants that are sensitive to it. You can line your beds with plastic to prevent contact between the soil and wood, if you like.
Can railroad ties be used in a greenhouse?
Gases released from creosote are also harmful in a closed space, so railroad ties should not be used in a greenhouse or indoors. Many other materials can be used for constructing a raised bed, so there is no reason to give up the idea.
Can creosote be used to treat ties?
plants. Yes, creosote does leach out of the ties and into the soil, but worn-out ties are generally not a problem, because most of their creosote has already leached away.
Can railroad ties be used long term?
Railroad ties can be an attractive option at a low budget, but they are not viable long term. Even if you want to save a few dollars, you might end up paying a lot more in the long run. So, if you want to avoid destroying your garden, use other kinds of wood to organize your garden.
Can you use railroad ties on plants?
But it can be used in some situations if the chemical coating has faded away and the wood won’t infect the plants. There are a lot of other landscaping methods that will help you manage the garden layout. You don’t need to rely on the railroad ties entirely. So, if you haven’t already invested, just look towards alternatives for a better-looking garden long term.
Can you use railroad ties on vegetable gardens?
Even though railroad ties might seem like the perfect method to manage your vegetable garden, it is not always the case. If you’re buying new railroad ties, these will be covered with creosote, made from a mixture of hundreds of chemicals to preserve the wood. So, it might not be such a good idea to add these chemical-coated wood pieces to your garden. Instead, you need to look towards other landscaping methods to manage the park if you want long-term growth.
Do railroad ties affect the garden?
On the other hand, some gardeners did say that using old and worn-out railroad ties does not affect the garden that much. This is because most chemical coating fades over the years, and the wood is safer for the garden. So, you need first to determine the kind of railroad ties you’re planning to buy. If you only look towards the budget, then there is a chance that you will end up losing the whole garden.
How do I keep a fence in place on a gate?
To help keep the fence in place on the gate I sandwiched it between the top/bottom and side 2x4s and then also tacked it down with a couple of fence nails on either side before trimming the fence to fit the gate.
Is creosote harmful to plants?
3. that creosote can be harmful to plants if it comes into direct contact with them … but plants will not absorb the substance into their root tissue in a garden or elsewhere. 4. … and creosote will generally not migrate far enough through the soil to reach plants that are a short distance away. 5. and … you’re unlikely to have more ...
Is creosote toxic to railroad ties?
The newer plant-based creosotes that they are using on the majority of railroad ties now are far LESS toxic then the creosote that USED to be used on railroad ties that has caused the majority of the belief of their toxicity.) A couple more links FYI:
Can you throw away wood treated with creosote?
You should check on local and state regulations, though. Some areas may have restrictions on throwing away wood treated with creosote.
Do railroad ties cause cancer?
Long-term, direct skin exposure to the coal tar creosote in railroad ties, as with all forms of creosote, has been linked to cancer of the skin and scrotum. While railroad ties have weathered by the time they are retired by the railroads, it's recommended to wear long sleeves, pants and work gloves when handling them and washing these separately ...
Can you burn railroad ties in a fireplace?
You should avoid inhaling creosote vapors, which can be released by heat. The vapors of creosote tars can build up, as in chimneys. Railroad ties should never be burned in fireplaces or outdoors. Advertisement.
Can railroad ties be used to build raised beds?
Railroad ties seem like an inexpensive way to build raised beds or garden borders , but the dangers of treated railroad ties can outweigh the cost savings. The chemicals can seep into the ground and cause issues, especially if you see creosote leaking out of the wood. Contamination of the ground can cause the plants to die.
Can railroad ties cause water contamination?
Water Contamination Dangers. The dangers of treated railroad ties aren't limited to you and your family. Railroad ties can leach creosote into soil and water systems. Eating food or drinking water with high levels of creosote may cause burning in the mouth and throat, stomach pains, severe skin irritation, convulsions, ...
Can railroad ties be used in landscaping?
It's common to see old railroad ties used in landscaping as retaining walls, landscape ed ging or raised planter beds, but are there dangers of treated railroad ties you should consider? Railroad ties are treated with chemical preservatives, such as creosote and chromated copper arsenate. Both of these chemicals are banned for residential use, and they're potentially harmful to humans and plants. Make sure you understand the risks of using creosote railroad ties in your landscaping.
Can you burn treated railroad ties?
Another one of the dangers of treated railroad ties is inhalation. If you have old railroad ties on your property that you want to get rid of, you should never burn them. Burning can release toxins in the air, which can be dangerous to respiratory health. You should also avoid inhaling sawdust from creosote treated wood.
Why are railroad ties used in landscaping?
As the railways expanded across our country, trees were cut for ties and ties were used and replaced in order to maintain the safety of the rails . Now, ties are everywhere.
Where is the Hart residence?
The Hart residence in Lincolnshire, Illinois, with a stone fountain, stream and railroad ties wooden bridge, after a landscape makeover by license contractor Jason Cameron, as seen on DIY Network's Desperate Landscapes.
Can ties be cut into any length?
Ties can be cut into any length to serve as in-ground steps, bed borders, mailbox posts or for other uses. Instead of traditional brick steps leading up to a home, ties are placed lengthwise over bricks to act as treads.
Can railroad ties be used indoors?
Ties are being used indoors, as well – from reclaimed wood flooring to artsy fireplace mantels. Genuine railroad ties have had their share of PR problems, however, and you may wish to consider purchasing an alternative timber product instead of a used tie. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says that creosote, ...
