Hello.

I'm putting up a yard light at my acreage, and I have a question about
the actual installation of the light pole.

I have a typical timber pole, about 35 feet long. A friend will be
helping me with his bobcat to auger a 12" post hole for the pole and
install the post within the hole.

I have a couple of questions regarding how to hole and how to backfill
it.

First, how deep should I install the pole? Does it need to be at least
as deep as the frost depth? I'm thinking the hole should be about 10
feet deep for my area (central Alberta, where the frost penetration
depth is typically about 8').

Second, what would be the best method to backfill around the pole once
it has been placed in the hole? I'm thinking there are two options -
using concrete or tamping in crushed gravel. Does anyone have
experience with these methods? The concrete would be a pain as we'd
have to brace the pole some way until the concrete has set. I think
that the local utility companies use the crushed gravel method when
installing new power/phone/lighting poles.

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks,
Corey