material may in the case of plastic collars range from 0 03 inch to 0 25 inch preferably 0 06 inch to 0 125 inch metal collars may be of thinner material in fig1 is shown a shrink wrapped fence post the fence post 1 made of wood such as preferably redwood or cedar is wrapped with a shrink wrappable material 2 a propane gas torch 5 connected to propane cylinder 7 through valve 6 is used to supply a hot air flame 8 which shrinks the shrink wrapped material forming an impervious moisture barrier around the post at the bottom of the post at 3 the shrink wrap material is crimped and heated to seal the bottom portion of the post preferably the shrink wrapped material is cut neatly around the post at 4 this level of cut being above grade level fig2 illustrates a post inserted into the ground in a cement encasement including an optional sheath or collar to prevent damage to the shrink wrapped coating at 21 is the fence post material and at 22 the shrink wrapped material is cut off above ground level at 24 at 23 is shown the bottom portion of the shrink wrap material being crimped and sealed to prevent ingress of moisture through the bottom of the post the post is surrounded by concrete 26 and above the level of the ground 25 is surrounded by a loose fitting collar 27 to protect the shrink wrapped coating from abrasion in fig3 is shown an alternative embodiment of the subject invention wherein the wooden fence post 31 is covered by a polymeric sleeve 32 which extends above grade 35 to height 33 protecting the post from grade level rot.