Fences and Gates - Wood Fence Material Suggestions??

OK I live in Southern Ct. I am considering a staggered vertical planking alternate sides on about 8 foot post on centers. over 100 ft long, Roughly 5 to 6 1/2 foot high. I was once told lotcus is great post fencing material but I also believe its tough to find around here.Post I am not too concerned since I can buy stock material.
I am seeking advise on the planking suggestion and cost savings.
I am considering cedar but I think that can get a bit pricey. I would like to find rough stock 8-10 wide (I can buy a planner) and a reasonable thickness. I would finish it myself. My objective is durablility with a nice oil finish that will hold up over time and best bang for my money! Lets hear what you experts have in mind?
IF you want a picture email me.

I would use cedar. It will last alot longer then other wood. You can go to a big box store that handles yard fencing, and buy fence panels like your describing. They are 8' long and 6' tall. The type of fence your describing is called a good neighbor fence. Good Luck

That type of fence is called shadow box. You can buy the panels premade as Jack suggested in both cedar and pressure treated pine - I'm not sure you can make them cheaper. If you do build the fence yourself about the only real choices are PT pine, cedar, redwood and cyprus. I'd be leary of most any other type of wood not weathering well, even with a protective stain. I've never seen locust in anything other than fence posts.

IF you can find locust used as a fence board, it'll probably cost at least three times what cedar costs. (Not sure, but I doubt seriously that a locust tree grows large enough to get an 8" wide or larger board out of. The only pieces of locust that I've ever seen are pretty narrow.

In CT, redwood is out of the question, so that leaves you cedar, cedar, and cedar for something that will take a finish and look good.

Marksr -- panels?? Besides being a PITA to work with, they can't be had in either locust or shadow boxed, at least not that I've ever seen! (But then too, I'm sure that I haven't seen EVERYTHING!! ;-))

I know you can get the panels at Menards. The other stores I don't know about. We don't have any of them around here.

When I lived in fla, most anyplace that sold privacy fence panels had shadow box panels not as popular as the stockade fence but I've stained miles of them. I don't think I've painted any fencing in tenn - can't remember for sure :D:o:D

I've cut and burned a bit of locust. Easy to cut and split when fresh but let it set a week and you'll see sparks off of your chain saw :eek: I bet it would do a number on a saw blade at the mill.

That type of fence is called shadow box. You can buy the panels premade as Jack suggested in both cedar and pressure treated pine - I'm not sure you can make them cheaper. If you do build the fence yourself about the only real choices are PT pine, cedar, redwood and cyprus. I'd be leary of most any other type of wood not weathering well, even with a protective stain. I've never seen locust in anything other than fence posts.

That is correct SHADOWBOX Design is what I had in mind! I live on a pond and we get a pretty nice cross breeze in the winter I figure this design lets a good amount of wind thru! As far as finding these panels pre-fab, I have yet to see it here in the north east! Most of the shadowboxes I have seen up here look custom built. However I will knock on a few doors if I can remember the location and ask the homeowner how or where they were bought!
THANKS for all your comments and suggestions! Will keep you posted whether it get done before this winter!
Cheers!