This investigation determined the gluability of weathered, out-of-service s
outhern yellow pine (SYP) (Pinus spp.) utility poles. Three types of adhesi
ves were used: resorcinol-phenol formaldehyde (RPF), polyvinyl acetate (PVA
), and casein. The poles consisted of two service duration groups: 5 and 25
years. Longer weathering caused greater reduction in creosote content, esp
ecially in the outer and upper portions, but resulted in better gluability.
Gluability of 25-year service life poles was the best and most comparable
to untreated SYP. Five-year in-service poles and freshly treated poles show
ed less favorable gluability. Superior gluability was obtained using RPF fo
llowed consecutively by PVA and casein. In reutilization of out-of-service
poles into engineered wood products, pieces that have retained sufficient c
reosote to be effective against decay should be placed into ground contact.
Similarly, pieces of poles with lower creosote content, and consequently b
etter gluability, would be better utilized in non-ground contact areas of e
ngineered wood products. Latewood percentage and angle of growth ring to th
e glueline also affected gluability. Latewood correlated positively with sh
ear strength and negatively with wood failure. The lower the angle of the g
rowth ring, the higher the shear and the greater the wood failure.