In addition, the lumber on the market today contains more sapwood and less heartwood. Methods Performance data were gathered on stakes from untreated redwood and western red cedar heartwood, untreated southern yellow pine sapwood and treated southern yellow pine sapwood. The stakes were evaluated yearly until failure occurred due to either decay or termites. Results Cedar and redwood stakes lasted an average of 4-5 years before they were destroyed while untreated southern pine sapwood lasted only two years. Predicted service lives for the various species and CCA retentions of treatment are listed in the following table.
Service life is estimated because the test is continuing.
These factors are more variable today than in the past when the reputation for durability developed. Wolmanized pressure-treated material, on the other hand, provides consistent long term performance in a broad spectrum of applications. All Rights Reserved.