Do we really need to use treated pine? (Just a bit of navel gazing)

Treated pine has been stamped into my brain because it resists rotting and termites, and I don’t know what other problems. I usually go for it without thinking too much. If it's outside then it has to be treated. But is that attitude essential? What's your experience of not using it? Good or bad.

Quite often pine is rated for structural use – that's a good thing if you’re building a deck.

So, if stirrups have been concreted into the ground and the posts and deck don’t touch anything there’s no real problem from termites. Or am I missing something?

Then, if you paint your work and keep it maintained wouldn’t that keep the wood rot at bay?