College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)

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https://dissertations.mak.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12281/20

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Browsing College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) by Author "Abalo, Theopista"
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    Effectiveness of raw Eucalypt pole pre-supply operations in reducing surface and end checking in electricity distribution poles in Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2025) Abalo, Theopista
    Premature failure of utility poles is a significant problem in Uganda, leading to substantial financial losses and safety risks. This issue is largely attributed to the frequent development of drying defects such as surface checks and end splits, which compromise the mechanical strength and durability of the poles. The main objective of this study was to contribute to the durability of treated poles by evaluating the effectiveness of three different pre-seasoning interventions pre-felling girdling, bark girdling post-felling, and foliage retention post-felling in reducing surface and end checks. A quantitative, experimental design was used on 100 poles sourced from a Eucalyptus grandis x camaldulensis plantation in Masaka, Uganda. The poles were divided into a control group (felled, debarked, and cut immediately) and three treatment groups. Each treatment was designed to slow the drying process and gradually release growth stresses. Treatment 1 involved pre-felling girdling 30 days before felling; Treatment 2 involved partial debarking after felling; and Treatment 3 involved retaining full foliage and bark for 30 days after felling. Over a period of five months, from February to July 2025, regular measurements of moisture content, check length, width, and depth were taken. The results showed that all three treatments were effective in reducing the number of checks compared to the control group. Treatment 1 (pre-felling girdling) was the most effective in reducing check depth, with an average of 19.3 mm compared to the control's 31.5 mm. Furthermore, this treatment and Treatment 2 (partial debarking) showed a statistically significant effect on reducing check depth and width, respectively, when compared to the control. This supports the hypothesis that the observed improvements were due to the gradual and uniform release of growth stresses, which mitigates the abrupt checking and splitting that occurs during rapid drying. Based on these findings, it is recommended that pole suppliers in Uganda adopt these practices to improve the durability of their products. Further research is recommended to explore the combined effects of these treatments and to determine the ideal duration for girdling.