HO-151
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT 
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA 47907
Railroad Ties in the Landscape
by Bernard Dahl, Landscape Architect, Department of Horticulture

When developing a complete landscape plan, you must consider more than just the placement of plants. Wood is a natural material to combine with plants and other landscape materials. Because of their versatility, railroad ties have become popular elements in the landscape.
To limit this publication to a discussion about railroad ties is inappropriate since landscape timbers or dimensional lumber can be substituted and are just as functional. Railroad ties salvaged from abandoned railways can be purchased at many nurseries. Some outlets also sell new, unused ties. Dimensional lumber in the same sizes can be purchased at any lumber yard.
This publication will offer you general suggestions on the use of ties or timbers with the hope that you can generate specific ideas for use in your own landscape. Also, some construction details and suggestions for accompanying tools and materials are included.

Treatment of ties
Whether you call them ties or timbers, these products are commonly 6" x 8" in width and depth and about 8' long. Actual railroad ties have been treated with creosote for preservation. Use caution in handling new ties because creosote can cause severe skin burns. Old ties are weathered and thus less caustic.
All timbers should be treated. If dimensional lumber is used, it should be pressure-treated with creosote, pentachlorophenol (called penta), or waterborne salts. Penta is safer than creosote, but it, too, can cause some skin irritation. It is best to wear gloves when handling treated lumber. Waterborne salts are safe to the touch. Another advantage of timbers treated with waterborne salts is that they will readiLy accept paint or stain, but penta or creosote-treated timber will not until completely weathered. Because pre-sure-treated ties or timbers are protected against wood-destroying organisms, they can be expected to last a long time. A used tie can be expected to last about 10 years, whereas new timbers will last a minimum of 20 years if correctly treated. Newly treated timbers may ooze treatment onto surrounding plants, but this oozing is usually only a temporary problem.

USES
Edges. Landscape timbers are excellent edging materials to separate lawn areas from shrub and flower beds or paved areas. Simply lay them on the ground so that their tops are even with the surface (Figure 1). Because of their weight, timbers will stay in place, even if laid on the surface (Figure 2). If the ties are flush with surface, they are less visible and easier to mow around. Ties laid flush with the surface may be pushed up by frost action, however One example of an edge done with timbers might be between a lawn and a parking area. The timbers can also be used as parking bumpers (Figure 3). Secure each of the timbers with two 3/8" diameter, 36" long steel rods (#3 reinforcing rod) driven through predrilled holes one foot from the end of each timber. This reinforcement prevents the ties from sliding, especially if they are used as wheel stops.