Utility pole decay

Summary Air-dried and kiln-dried southern pine sticks, representing a number of different trees, were individually inoculated with one of the nine basidiomycetes most often associated with southern pine utility pole decay. Where available, four different strains of each fungus were used to prepare decayed wood for testing. The partially decayed sticks were then tested with 53 chemicals, or combinations of chemicals (indicators), to determine their efficacy in detection of decay through color changes wrought in the affected wood. Nine indicators, or combination of indicators, showed promise in detection of some of the included decay. Of these, three were subjected to further testing on decayed lodgepole and ponderosa pine woods. The three—butter yellow+methylene blue followed by bromcresol green+methyl orange; chrome azural-S; and methyl orange+indigo carmine—were considered suitable for use in detection of internal decay in pine poles.This work was supported, in part, by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, U.S. Navy. Trade names are for the readers' convenience only, and are not to be construed as recommendations by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.