A New Milestone: Launching Our Fully Operational Post Mill

After one year of pouring concrete, welding, and construction, our Post Mill at Old South Wood is officially up and running!

After just a few years of working primarily within the post-frame industry, it became clear that our area had a growing need for quality wood fencing supplies. Old South Wood Preserving, LLC is located in rural Summertown, Tennessee, surrounded by cattle farmers, equestrian enthusiasts, and homeowners who simply prefer the timeless look of a rustic wooden fence. Our late founder, Eric Stoll, dove head-first into the construction of our post mill and kiln, excited for the opportunity to serve local fencing companies.

As our reputation for quality grew, we began attracting customers far beyond Tennessee. Today, we ship fence posts to states as far away as Nebraska, Idaho, Florida, and beyond. You might wonder why fencing companies so far from Tennessee choose our products instead of buying locally. The answer is simple: we’re committed to quality.

"If you're going to be known for something, be known for quality." -Eric Stoll

On an episode of the Fence Industry Podcast with Dan Wheeler, Eric said, “I find in the fence industry that it's easy to be recognized when you have a good product and the same is the case when you have a bad product.”

When Eric started Old South Wood Preserving, he set a few simple nonnegotiables: always do the right thing, and always deliver quality products to our customers. Guided by these principles, we make sure every post we produce meets the highest standards, starting with the wood itself.

A common problem when driving fence posts is splitting. This happens far more often when posts are cut from immature trees or when the wood hasn’t been properly dried and treated. One of the first things you’ll notice about our posts is their dense and numerous growth rings. We source logs from mature trees that have had time to develop strength and durability. In addition, we carefully test each treatment charge to ensure proper chemical penetration and retention, giving you a post that’s built to last.

Operations at the Post Mill

In collaboration with local suppliers, Old South Wood Preserving, LLC sources full-length Southern Yellow Pine logs. The logs are cut to length and sorted by size before they are processed through the Post Mill to remove the bark. Each post is carefully inspected by operators to ensure it meets our strict quality standards.

Once approved, the posts are stacked and banded before moving to the kiln where they dry for approximately 46 hours. Proper drying is essential to longevity, as it helps prevent warping and shrinking while also allowing for deeper, more effective preservative penetration.

We have a dedicated team of eight working at our post mill, each playing a vital role in the production process. From carefully sorting incoming logs and operating the mill to precisely stacking and banding finished posts, our crew ensures every step is handled with skill and consistency. They also manage loading each batch into the kiln for proper drying, helping us maintain the high quality standards our customers count on.

See our commitment to quality in action in the short video below.