Round Pointed Stakes and Strainers
Tanalised, round incised stake for fencing or plant support.
from £6.40
Fencing
Wooden Stakes & Fence Rails
Buy our wooden stakes and rails to create a natural look in your country garden or use them to cover ground quickly when marking the boundary of your country estate. Pressure treated to withstand rot and decay, they’re perfect for homeowners escaping to the country who want to enjoy more space but keep maintenance low.
Wooden Stakes & Fence Rails
Whether you're marking the boundary of a country estate, securing livestock in a paddock, or supporting young trees in the garden, our wooden stakes and fence rails offer a reliable, natural-looking solution that stands the test of time.
All of our wooden stakes and fence rails are pressure-treated to resist rot and decay, and manufactured from quality certified timber — so you can be confident you're buying products that are built to last.
Wooden Stakes
Our wooden garden and fence stakes are available in round and half-round profiles, each treated and incised to maximise preservative uptake and extend service life. Whether you need a lightweight garden stake for supporting plants and saplings or a robust strainer stake for a stock fence, we have the right product for the job.
What are wooden stakes used for?
Wooden stakes have a wide range of uses across gardens, farms and construction sites:
- Plant and tree support — Wooden garden stakes are ideal for supporting young trees, climbing plants, runner beans and other tall-growing crops. Round pointed stakes are the most popular choice for this use.
- Boundary marking — Driven into the ground at regular intervals, wooden fence stakes provide a quick and cost-effective way to define the edge of a property or field.
- Livestock fencing — Combined with fence rails or wire, wooden stakes form the backbone of traditional agricultural fencing used to contain horses, cattle and sheep.
- Erosion control and land management — Stakes are commonly used alongside geotextile membranes and netting to stabilise banks and slopes.
- Event and temporary fencing — Lightweight wooden garden stakes are widely used for temporary crowd control and site demarcation.
Wooden stake types explained
Round pointed stakes are the most versatile option. They’re easy to drive into the ground and are suitable for both agricultural and garden applications. Our round pointed stakes and strainers are treated and incised for long-term durability.
Half-round pointed stakes have a flat face, making them easier to nail fence rails directly to. They’re the preferred choice for stake-and-rail fencing in rural and agricultural settings.
Fence Rails
Our fence rails are available in half-round and D‑profile options, treated to withstand the elements. Fence rails are used alongside posts and stakes to create open, post-and-rail style fencing — a classic countryside look that’s practical, low-maintenance and long-lasting.
What are fence rails used for?
Fence rails are a key component in several common fencing applications:
- Post and rail fencing — The most traditional use. Fence rails are fixed horizontally between posts to create an open boundary fence, commonly seen on farms, equestrian properties and country estates.
- Paddock and livestock fencing — Fence rails are used to safely enclose horses, cattle and other livestock. Our D‑profile rail also doubles as a sturdy handrail.
- Garden boundaries — For homeowners wanting a natural, rural feel, stake-and-rail fencing with half-round rails is a popular alternative to timber panel fencing.
- Rights of way and public access — Fence rails are widely used by local authorities and land managers to define footpaths and bridleways.
Fence rail profiles explained
Half-round rails have a flat bottom and curved top, making them straightforward to nail to posts and stakes. They’re the standard choice for most post-and-rail fencing projects.
D‑profile (half-round “D”) rails have a more pronounced D‑shaped cross section, giving them additional strength and making them ideal for use as handrails or where rails are subject to greater lateral pressure from livestock.
How to Install Stake and Rail Fencing
Stake-and-rail fencing is one of the simplest systems to install, making it a popular choice for DIY projects and professional contractors alike.
Standard installation method
- Set intermediate posts at 1.8m centres, driving pointed stakes firmly into the ground.
- Fix fence rails horizontally between stakes using galvanised nails or screws.
- Stagger rail joints between bays to distribute the fence’s weight evenly and improve stability.
Alternative method for longer spans
For longer runs, set posts at 3.6m centres. Drive a pointed stake into the centre of each bay, and nail the rails to it to prevent them from bowing over time.
For livestock fencing: Fix half-round rails with nails from behind the stake so that the rail can flex slightly if an animal leans against it, reducing the risk of damage or injury.
For added security and to contain smaller animals, galvanised wire stock fencing can be attached to the stake-and-rail framework.
Sizes & Specifications
All products are tanalised (pressure treated) unless otherwise stated.
Round Pointed Stakes & Strainers | Round, incised | Boundary fencing, strainer posts, and plant support |
Half Round Pointed Stakes | Half round, incised | Stake and rail fencing, agricultural boundaries |
100mm Half Round Rails | Half round | Post and rail fencing, garden boundaries |
100mm Half Round “D” Rails | D profile | Livestock fencing, handrails |
100mm Round Poles | Full round | Heavy-duty post and rail, rural fencing |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between round and half-round fence rails?
Round poles are a full circular cross-section and are typically used as heavier-duty rails or posts. Half-round rails are split lengthwise, giving a flat face that sits flush against stakes and posts, making fixing easier. For most stake-and-rail fencing, half-round rails are the standard choice.
How far apart should fence rails be spaced?
For a standard two-rail fence, rails are typically fixed at approximately 600mm and 1,200mm from the ground. For a three-rail fence, space rails evenly at around 400mm intervals. Spacing may vary depending on the livestock or use case — for horses, closer rail spacing is advisable.
Are your wooden stakes pressure-treated?
Yes. All of our wooden stakes and fence rails are treated with tanalised — a process that forces preservative deep into the timber under pressure. This provides significantly better protection against rot and decay than surface-applied treatments, ensuring a long service life.
What’s the difference between a stake and a fence post?
Wooden stakes are typically lighter and more slender than fence posts. They’re designed to be driven directly into the ground with a mallet or post driver and are suited to lighter-duty fencing. Fence posts are heavier, set deeper and used where greater structural strength is needed — such as for panel fencing or gates.
Can I use fence rails for horse paddocks?
Yes. Our half-round and D‑profile fence rails are suitable for horse paddock fencing. We recommend a minimum of three rails for horse enclosures and, where possible, fixing rails from the inside of the paddock so horses can’t push them off the posts.
Do wooden stakes and fence rails come pressure-treated?
Yes. All of our wooden stakes and fence rails are pressure-treated as standard, helping to ensure a long service life even in wet or exposed conditions.