The locally developed Eco Rod is unique in the sense that it is a first in South Africa and is based on proven technologies that have been extensively researched and used with great success in overseas countries.

The application and use of the Eco Rod is mainly aimed at the "Do-it-yourself" market segment, contractors, vineyard farmers, game farm owners as well as the power distribution and telecommunication market segments where wooden utility poles are still being used extensively.

1. How is biological deterioration of wooden poles being controlled?
   
   The correct treatment of wood with an approved wood preservative such as creosote or CCA renders it unsuitable as a food source and thereby protects it against potential attack by wood destroying insects and wood rotting fungi.



2. Why does chemically treated wooden poles still rot?
   
   In the case of gum poles, only the outer sapwood portion can be fully penetrated and adequately treated. The inner heartwood portion therefore remains untreated and is subject to potential decay caused by wood rotting fungi, especially when it is used in ground contact applications. (See picture no. 1 that shows a creosoted pole with advanced heartwood decay).



3. What is the Eco Rod?
   
   The Eco Rod is a water-soluble borate rod that protects the untreated internal heartwood portion of wooden poles against wood rotting fungi. It has been locally developed and is manufactured by Timberlife to ensure optimum performance under South African exposure conditions.
   
   This supplemental treatment is especially suitable to provide additional protection to the critical groundline area of creosote- and CCA-treated gum poles used in ground contact. Examples of such poles are lapa poles, pole structures, vineyard poles, fence poles, utility poles, etc.
   
   The active borate ingredient of Eco Rod is a well known and highly effective wood preservative that is of little danger to man and animal in terms of toxicity and also has a low environmental impact in terms of potential pollution. The Eco Rod is registered with the Department Agriculture, Act 36 of 1947, Reg. No. L 7416. The Eco Rod contains no harmful ingredients such as sodium fluoride and is therefore approved for industrial as well as DIY use.

 





4. How does it work?
   
   When the Eco Rod is inserted in the untreated heartwood portion of a pole, it starts to slowly dissolve once the wood moisture increases to above 20 percent. The water-soluble borate active ingredient moves with the moisture and spreads through the heartwood by the process of diffusion.
   
   It thereby preserves and protects the wood against wood rotting fungi. A boron indicator can be used to observe the borate distribution that has taken place (See picture nr. 2 that shows the borate distribution inside a pole).

 





5. What does the treatment and maintenance of wooden poles with Eco Rod entail?
   
   The complete instructions (directions for use) are included with each pack of Eco Rods. (See picture no. 3 of a pole that has been split in half and to show how the borate rods have been inserted into the heartwood)
   
   Eco Rod treatment protects poles against heartrot for 5 years or more. After ± 5 years it is only necessary to remove the plastic plugs and to insert new borate rods into the holes, followed by sealing the holes with plastic plugs.

 





6. What are the benefits of Eco Rod treatment?
   
   The lifespan of wooden poles can be drastically lengthened by the timeously treatment of the untreated heartwood with Eco Rods and the administration of regular maintenance in terms of retreatment. It is an easy and affordable way of protecting the untreated heartwood of poles against wood rotting fungi that can lead to large financial savings in the long run.