Tom, what are your realistic expectations for the marker? What are you weather conditions there?

 

west metro Detroit so anything from 90 degree summer days to 10 degree winter days.
expectations- to last 10+ years

 

Redwood, white oak, western red cedar. If you can connect them to a metal stak that actually goes in the soil and keeps the wood from contacting the wet soil they will last longer. Tropical woods like Epi which is very hard and durable often used for decking.
I usually plant a nice flowering bush or perennial flower over pet graves.

 

thanks,les. much appreciated

 

heart cypress or black locust would hold up as well.
mulberry, osage orange and sassafras were used as fence posts when I was a kid because they didn't rot. Lumber would be hard to find though

 

Black locust was what I was going to suggest.

 

One of our Woodworking club members make Pet Markers as a niche/hobby. He uses Cedar, Fir and Redwood and White Oak. Sometimes he'll make a marker and set fire to it. The heavily charcoaled exterior on the wood makes it sorta weather resistant.

I made this one for a customer. I used Mahogany One 1x6 (center), two 1x4's (front & back) and I shaped some metal siding (roof type accent). The center I made with a hollow section to fit a "Safety metal fence post", to be driven into the ground, so the marker would fit over it to stand it up. He wanted it 3' tall and 2' wide

 

One of our Woodworking club members make Pet Markers as a niche/hobby. He uses Cedar, Fir and Redwood and White Oak. Sometimes he'll make a marker and set fire to it. The heavily charcoaled exterior on the wood makes it sorta weather resistant.

I made this one for a customer. I used Mahogany One 1x6 (center), two 1x4's (front & back) and I shaped some metal siding (roof type accent). The center I made with a hollow section to fit a "Safety metal fence post", to be driven into the ground, so the maker would fit over it to stand it up. He wanted it 3' tall and 2' wide
View attachment 3924665 View attachment 3924666 View attachment 3924667

beautiful work!

 

Sorry for your loss. For a grave marker, cedar, white oak, teak, or cypress are all great options coz they resist rot and weather naturally. Cedar is easy to work with and ages to a nice gray, while white oak and teak will last the longest if you want something more durable.

 

There are plenty of osage fence posts still standing strong after more than 100 years. However lumber is not on every street corner.

White Oak would be a close second.

Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend.

 

Sorry for the loss of anyone/thing that has embraced your life and little will replace it... IT is never easy but you have asked for an outing that as an independant obdserver may offer.

Haven't read all and I believe life goes on,

 

I like all the suggestions on woods but what finish would you use?

 

I'm going with general finishes 450.

 

Had my replies censored... so sorry, cannot contribute any more.

 

You should be able to get osage here

Shop Tools and Machinery at Green Valley

www.gvwp.net

I've been buying from him for a long time

 

Ive bought from him several times as well. Not Osage, but a smooth, quick transaction each time.