The standard utility pole in the United States is about 40 ft long and is buried about 6 ft in the ground. They are typically spaced about 125 ft apart in urban areas, or about 300 ft in rural areas. Most utility poles are made of wood, pressure-treated with some type of preservative for protection against rot, fungi and insects. Southern yellow pine is the most widely used species in the United States. Traditionally, the preservative used was creosote, but due to environmental concerns, alternatives such as pentachlorophenol. For over 100 years, the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) has developed the standards for preserving wood utility poles. Despite the preservatives, wood poles decay and have a life of approximately 25 to 50 years depending on climate and soil conditions.

-Black and White Wednesday-

Location: Burnet Rd. – Austin, TX

• Aperture: ƒ/9
• Camera: Canon EOS 60D
• Focal length: 55mm
• ISO: 100
• Shutter speed: 1/200s