Methods were developed and are currently being utilized to appraise residual strength of utility poles based on visual assessment of increment cores. Strength tests, mycological descriptions and anatomical analyses were performed on eight utility poles taken out of service and one new (never in service) pole. Samples were obtained from increment cores removed from 6 levels in the pole: 2 feet, groundline, +2 feet, +4 feet, +6 feet and +8 feet. Each segment (1 cm) of the increment cores was described visually according to the utility company's procedures. Static bending beams (0.6 x 0.6 x 15 cm³) were removed from pole sections adjacent to the core boring site. A method was developed for cutting static bending beams and performing static bending tests. The strength analysis corresponds to increment cores removed for pole inspections. Each beam represents 1 cm along the radius of the increment core. The relationship between percent latewood, strength and radial position will be exploited as a means for strength prediction. New evaluations of residual strength of individual core codes will be considered by the utility company for use in their current pole analysis procedure.

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