POLES AND PILING 



319 



imum estimates, on the other hand, are generally for shorter length poles 

 and where conditions are more favorable for economical logging. 



In logging chestnut in eastern woodlots, the following are the approx- 

 imate itemized costs per lineal foot: 



Items 



Stumpage 



Cutting and peeling 



Skidding 



Transportation 



Storage and loading 



General expense 



$.064 



$.103 



It does not generally pay to log and market chestnut poles in the 

 25- and 30-ft. lengths according to many operators, as there are insuf- 

 ficient profits. The shorter lengths are commonly sold as piling, which 

 bring better prices as a rule. 



LENGTH OF SERVICE UNTREATED 



The length of service which untreated poles will give depends upon a 

 number of factors. These are as follows: 



1. Kind of wood. It is obvious that the cedars, chestnut, red- 

 wood, white oak, cypress, etc., are preferred for pole purposes 

 on account of their exceeding durability along with their other 

 favorable qualifications. 



2. Size of pole. Large poles will give much longer service than 

 those of small diameter. Poles decay at the ground line first 

 and therefore those with large butts which are of greatest diam- 

 eter at the ground line are much preferred, other conditions 



being equal. 



3. Climate, precipitation, etc. Poles placed in warm, humid 

 climates will not last as long as those placed in arid or colder 

 regions. 



4. Local conditions of soil, drainage, moisture, etc. 



5. Breakage due to sleet or ice storms, heavy winds, etc. 

 Altogether, under average conditions, the principal woods used for 



poles will probably last as follows, in the untreated state: 



