Telephone poles, are they treated at one end?

Question

Phone poles apear to either be treated with a chemical or even fired at their base but at the top they apear to be lighter in color and spliting from the weather. Do they treat the bottom do prevent it from rotting in the wet earth and neglet the top to make it lighter for stability? If so how are they treated? If not is it just that through time the poles natural juices seep to the bottom of the pole leaving the bottom looking darker and the top looking paler.

its amazing the things that the spell checker will miss

Answer 1

Yes, the bottom of the poles are soaked in creosote, a thick tarlike substance impervious to moisture. This is to prevent the section of the pole underground from being chewed by subterrainian creatures as well as to lengthen the lifespan of the pole under moist conditions. The rest of the pole is treated but using a different method: pressure treating. As time wears on the exposed portion of the poles become sunbleached and lighten.

Answer 2

quote from my EE handbook 11th edition. p 14-96:

"Pole decay is due to a fungus which requires air, moisture, warmth and food... wood constitutes food... The conditions most favorable... are at the ground line."

So, according to the 'book', moisture alone is not a concern.

There are 2 chemicals used for treatment (only at the base of the pole up to the ground line)
1. Coal-tar creosote
or
2. 5% pentachlorophenol in petroleum distillate

The handbook goes on to describe the processes used for treating the poles, which wood types are treated with what, etc.

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Answer 3

They used to be treated with creosote, but enviromental concerns forced them to change to the newer chemical preservatives. I think creosote lasted better, but the fact that they're installed vertically means they dry quickly after a rain. I've seen termite infestations even in treated wood, although creosote seemed to hold them off better. Maybe railroad ties have to be replaced more often the way they're installed. Of course treated telephone poles are also used in sea side retaining walls and docks.

Answer 4

I believe they treat the whole pole because either end could potentially be put into the ground. There is no "this side up" on those things that I know of.

Answer 5

it's treated with creosote on the bottom and nothing on the top they do not crack at the top right threw because they have a bolt or two going right threw holding the lines up

Answer 6

in fact each end is treated differently
the end in the ground treeted to resist chemicals and moisture