On 24/01/2014 19:39, Dave Liquorice wrote:
On Fri, 24 Jan 2014 19:03:50 +0000 (UTC), Adrian wrote:

I don't even want to consider what the preservatives on these things is
- but the poles that were removed from here the other day - after 51
years in the ground - were _perfect_.

Timber in damp ground lasts well anyway. Vacuum treated, ie poles are
placed in a chamber and the pressure reduced drawing the air out of
the wood, the preservative is then introduced and occupies the
"holes". Much better penetration than plain dipping or trying to
shove stuff in under pressure.

Poles and timber in general rots at or just above ground level. The
"goldilocks zone" for the rot fungi and bacteria.

The new ones _stink_...

Creosote, the real stuff? But what ever they use on poles seems to
have a higher proportion of tar than the stuff mere mortals could
get.

Could be. It's still available for non-diy use.

SteveW