James Carter NRECA/WQC Inc. Utility pole species James Carter NRECA/WQC Inc. (:

SPECIES FACTORS Availability Cost Treatability Strength Shape Under strength – density in the outer 2-3 inches, controversy over plantation grown material – note all wood is generally “managed”, no more natural stands of timber

Species Used for Distribution/Transmission Poles Southern Pine Red Pine Ponderosa pine Lodgepole pine Douglas Fir (Coastal) Western Red Cedar

SOUTHERN PINE Thick sapwood layer that treats easily 80% of all wood distribution poles Availability good in distribution sizes, poor in transmission lengths Straightness good in distribution, poorer in transmission Light to moderate checking Knots well scattered, but prone to large knots in longer lengths Fiber stress of 8000 psi Climbability varies considerably, depending on treatment

RED PINE Thick sapwood layer that treats easily Rapidly gaining popularity in distribution sizes Availability good in distribution sizes Straightness generally good Moderate, occasionally large surface checking Knots small to moderate in size, occurring in whorls Fiber stress of 6600 psi Climbability good

PONDEROSA PINE Thick sapwood layer that treats easily Availability very limited Straightness generally good Moderate to large surface checking Moderate knots, well scattered Fiber stress 6000 psi Climbability varies considerably depending on treatment

LODGEPOLE PINE Variable sapwood thickness Availability limited Straight Moderate to large checking Moderate knots, scattered, often associated with bark Fiber stress 6600 psi Climbability varies considerably depending on treatment

DOUGLAS FIR (COASTAL ) Thin sapwood layer requires modification to insure adequate treatment 80% of large wood transmission poles Availability good in both transmission/distribution lengths Straightness very good in all lengths Moderate to large surface checking Moderate knots, well scattered Fiber stress 8000 psi Climbability fair to good, depending on treatment

WESTERN RED CEDAR Thin sapwood layer requires modification to insure adequate treatment Availability limited/expensive Straightness very good Moderate to large surface checking Knots moderate to large, scattered, often numerous Fiber stress 6000 psi Climbability excellent

Species Characteristics WESTERN RED CEDAR LODGEPOLE PINE PONDEROSA PINE RED PINE SOUTHERN PINE DOUGLAS FIR (COASTAL) SHAPE -Sweep -Crook Straight N.A. Mod. Straight Prone to sweep KNOTS Mod/Large/Scat Mod/Num/ Bark Mod/Scat Small/mod/whorl Mod/large/scat Mod/scat CHECKS Mod/large Mod Light/mod GAFFING -Oil -CCA Excellent Good Moderate Mod/Poor Good/Mod Poor FIBER STRESS (psi) 6000 6600 8000 SAPWOOD THICKNESS ½ “ to ¾ “ ¾ “ to 2 “ 2 “ to 3 “ 2 “ to 4 “

Wood Preservatives - Safety - Effectiveness - Permanence - Economics Safe – Non-corrosive, non-noxious, doesn’t promote combustion Effective – Protects against fungi & insects Permanence – long term service life, no soil or water environmental issues Economics – priced to be competitive with other materials

Major Preservative Types Tar Oils Creosote Clean Creosote Organic Solvents (Oil borne) Penta Copper Naphthenate Water-borne CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate) ACZA (Ammoniacal Copper Zinc Arsenate)

Creosote Brownish-black oily liquid containing a large number of different chemical compounds. By-product of the coal tar distillation process. Oldest wood preservative, used worldwide for over 150 years.

Creosote ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES Documented record of performance dating to the 1800’s Very low solubility in water Normally non-corrosive High electrical resistance Excellent climbability, flexibility Restricted use pesticide Surface bleeding can cause handling, exposure environmental problems Preservative migrates over time Dark color may not be esthetically acceptable Noxious odor Availability limited Common on development of clean creosote

Organics (Oil-borne) PENTACHLOROPHENOL (PENTA) COPPER NAPHTHENATE A manufactured broad spectrum biocide that is dissolved in a mixture of hydrocarbon solvents for treatment. Created by the direct chlorination of phenols. In commercial production since 1936. COPPER NAPHTHENATE A combination of metallic copper dissolved in naphthenic acid, mixed with petroleum based solvents for treatment. In commercial production since the 1930’s.

Pentachlorophenol (penta) ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES Documented record of performance dating to the late 1930’s Very low solubility in water Non-corrosive Excellent climbability, flexibility Good surface cleanliness Esthetically acceptable appearance Availability excellent Restricted use pesticide Preservative migrates over time Odor of carrier somewhat noxious Surface bleeding can adversely affect handling

Copper Naphthenate ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES Expensive A non-restricted use pesticide with low mammalian toxicity Documented record of performance as a supplement since the 1930’s Low solubility in water Non-corrosive Excellent climbability, flexibility Color is esthetically acceptable Expensive Availability limited Objectionable odor in fresh treated material Requires active solution filtration to eliminate greasy surface deposits Preservative migrates over time Most experience is with CuNap combined with other preservatives; recent early failures caused great concern

Water-Bornes ACZA – Ammoniacal Copper Zinc Arsenate A combination of copper, zinc, and arsenic dissolved in a solution of ammonia in water, used primarily to treat western species. CCA – Chromated Copper Arsenate A combination of copper, chrome, and arsenic dissolved in water.

ACZA ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES Documented record of improved performance vs. ACA Chemical fixation virtually eliminates preservative migration Clean, dry surface Esthetically acceptable appearance Improved resistance to woodpecker attacks? Availability good Restricted use pesticide Harder surface increases climbing difficulty Reduced flexibility, higher susceptibility to shock loads Potential hardware corrosion problems from residual ammonia

CCA ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES Documented record of performance dating to the late 1930’s Chemical fixation virtually eliminates preservative migration Clean, dry surface Esthetically acceptable appearance Availability very good Lowest priced preservative Additives available to improve climbing Restricted use pesticide Harder surface increases climbing difficulty Reduced flexibility, higher susceptibility to shock loads “Glowing” due to chrome content may increase damage from fire