How to Remove Fence Posts

Co-authored by Anthony "TC" Williams

Last Updated: October 25, 2022

The removal of wooden fence posts normally involves a process that includes loosening the post from the surrounding ground or concrete, then carefully extracting the post in a manner that does not cause the post to snap or splinter. By taking your time and making sure everything is in place before beginning to extract the fence post, the job can be completed with a minimum of difficulty. We'll show you how.

Things You Should Know

Dig a trench around the post and soak the surrounding soil with water.
Drive nails into the post. Then, wrap rope around the nails, loop the rope around the post, and tie it off.
Put a concrete block on each side of the post with a board across them. Attach the rope to one end of the board and stand on the other end to uproot the post.
Alternatively, wrap a chain several times around the post. Secure the chain to a jack and use the jack to tug the post up and out of the ground.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using a Rope and Board

1
Assess the status of the fence post. A wooden post that is sunk into the surrounding soil will be relatively easy to remove, while one that is sunk into concrete will require additional equipment. Any wooden fence post that is severely deteriorated may also require additional tools to manage the extraction.
2
Dig a trench around the post using a shovel. The trench does not have to be any deeper than about 1 foot (0.3 m). Remove the dirt directly around the post, or around the concrete plug that is holding the post in position.
- Wear eye protection when digging around concrete, to protect against chipped concrete fragments.
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3
Soak the remaining soil. Watering the soil around the post will loosen it and make it easier to remove the post.
4
Rock the post in place. Push it backward and forward several times to help loosen the post and plug as the hole is enlarged slightly. Try not to break the post.
5
Nail it. Drive four nails into each face of the post. Position the nails so they are driven into the surface of the post at roughly 1 foot (0.3 m) from the ground level. Make sure the nails are driven at least halfway into the wood, creating a firm hold.
6
Tie it up. Secure a length of strong rope to the series of nails on the post. This can be accomplished by wrapping the rope around and under each exposed nail head in succession, finally tying the rope tightly around the body of the fence post.
7
Create a lever to help extract the post. This can be accomplished by placing one to two layers of concrete blocks on one side of the trench, and then laying a thick plank or board across the blocks.
8
Attach the rope to the end of the board closest to the post. Drive a couple of nails into the board to create a means of securing the rope into position.
9
Stand on the opposite end of the board. The effect will be somewhat like a seesaw, in that as your end moves toward the ground, the tension on the rope increases and pulls the post upward, slowly extracting the buried portion of the post.
10
Remove the post from the hole. Once the post is pulled upward, detach the rope and move the post away from the open hole.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using a Jack and Chain

1
Dig out soil around the post. If the fence post has a large concrete base or is very firmly anchored in soil, you may need to use a farm jack (Hi-Lift jack) and chain to pull it out. To prepare for this, dig out the soil around the post to a depth of 1 to 1½ feet (0.3 to 0.46 meters). A posthole digger will make this easier.
2
Break up the soil or concrete further. Use a pointed digging bar or rock bar to further loosen the soil, or to break up the concrete if possible. Wear eye protection to protect against flying concrete fragments.
3
Lay a thick block across the hole. Use a block at least 4 inches (10 cm) thick, with a flat top that can support your jack. Place it across the hole next to the base of the post. Position the block securely so it will not shift during construction. Make sure it is located far enough from the post that the concrete base will not strike the block on its way up.
4
Wrap a chain around the post. Wrap a 3 to 5 foot (0.9 to 1.5 m) length of chain several times around the post, as low to the ground as possible.
5
Secure the chain to the jack. Place the jack on top of the block. Loop the chain tightly around the jack's runner and secure it in place.
6
Operate the jack. Put on a pair of heavy leather gloves and stand to the side of the jack's handle. Operate the jack to lift the chain and gradually tug the fence post up and out of the ground.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do I remove cemented fence posts?

Anthony "TC" Williams
Experienced Landscaper
Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.

Anthony "TC" Williams

Experienced Landscaper

Expert Answer

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By digging out post as deep as possible all the way around first. Use a heavy 'digging bar' or 'rock bar' to break up concrete as best you can, then remove as much from hole as you can. Lift out the post by using the lever method or the jack method above.
Question

How do I pull the remainder of a post that has sunk into the ground?

Community Answer

Often these are completely rotten. If there is room, dig a trench alongside the hole, and then just dig all the pieces out. If there is no room, you will have to try and break it up with a bar and pull pieces out. If it is not rotten, you can drill into the top and then screw in a large lag screw attached to a chain and then lift up using a farm jack.
Question

How do I remove large fence posts that are from railroad ties?

Community Answer

Depending on the size, you may need to rent pneumatic equipment, like a front end loader.