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Why you should use gum poles for your construction

What are gum poles?

Firstly, let’s start with what gum poles are. Gum poles are made from the Blue Gum tree. It is an evergreen tree that has its origins in Australia and is the subspecies of the Eucalyptus Globulus.

Gum trees grow quickly and are adaptable to a number of climates. This tree can grow up to heights of  55m. There is a subspecies called the Tasmanian Blue Gum that can reach towering heights of 90.7m.

Gum tree wood is a hardwood and is very easy to work with and can be used for a number of applications, which is why many poles are made from this type of wood.

What are CCA pressure treated poles?

Treated poles are processed with a chemical called CCA (Chromed Copper Arsenic). These poles are precisely packed and wheeled into a high-pressure chamber with CCA. Once the chamber is properly sealed, the CCA is highly pressurized in the chamber to penetrate deep into the timber.

This process makes sure that the timber is properly treated all the way through. Wood that has been pressure treated will have a green tinge to it.

Why do people choose pressure-treated timber?

CCA-treated timber is highly sought after in the agricultural and outdoor construction industry. Some of the reasons that this timber is so popular are:

  • Resistant to weathering
  • Immune to insects and other wood-eating pests
  • Safe to use in and around water
  • Resistant to decay and rot
  • Does not leach chemicals into the ground
  • Affordable.

In Southern Africa, the most commonly used timbers are Pine and Gum Poles (Eucalyptus). However, pine is rarely used due to its weak structural integrity.

Eucalyptus/Gum is most prominently used for:

  • Wooden Fencing
  • Agricultural Netting projects
  • Transmission Poles
  • Wooden Log Homes
  • Decking wood
  • Agricultural sheds
  • Tiny home projects

Gum poles are stronger and have a longer life than pine due to the fact that it naturally is more resistant to rot, decay and insect attacks. When pressure-treated correctly, these characteristics are multiplied.

Purchasing CCA-treated timber means that you are encouraging sustainable forestry practices. Structures constructed with CCA-treated timber will last longer than their counterparts. This means that less wood will be needed to replace and/or repair the same structure in the long run. Due to this, fewer trees need to be grown and harvested to supply wood for the same purposes.

This means that gum poles are the perfect timber for your outdoor projects, whether they be household building projects, or large agricultural netting projects, or construction projects.

At Prime Poles, we specialise in the treatment and bulk supply of high-quality, CCA-treated gum poles, laths and droppers for all your project needs. Get in touch for a free quote.

Source: Sabiepoles, Timbermax