What do we mean by Rustic Poles? Rustic poles is the term that we use to identify a natural wooden pole - i.e. one that has not been machined into a standard shape. For us, this can mean with the bark left on, or with the bark peeled off. Rustic poles were typically used for pergolas or fencing for a more a natural look and feel - however in recent years they have been used for a wider variety of products. If you opt for a peeled rustic pole then you can choose from a number of different finishes - hand peeled (smoother) or machine peeled (some bark may still be left on) - both have a lovely natural look about them. Some companies pressure treat their peeled rustic poles - which can extend the life of these natural products - however we choose not to, so that we can lessen the impact on the environment. With proper care and attention you can use standard wood preservatives, or even linseed oils to enjoy this product for years to come. 

WoodPoint is one of a decreasing number of woodland businesses able to produce hand cut special orders of Rustic Round Wood from the broadleaved woodlands or conifer forests. These products are cut to order as part of approved thinning operation in young conifer plantations or hardwood coppices here in the UK. 

Information when ordering - things to consider:

​Whilst we can help you with what you might be looking for alongside what is available to us we cannot advise you with any guarantee about weight bearing, structure building or any other particular use - the responsibility to ensure the correct materials are used is with yourself. We supply rustic poles only which are used for purposes of your choice and the independant titles on each page are for reference only - there are no adapaptions to the different named poles. It is advised to read up on the properties of untreated wood (i.e. moisture, movement of green wood and cracking, use of wood preservatives, how long they will last etc) so you understand them for what they are and how they may be different from "machined", "treated" poles that you may be used to seeing in timber merchants - this responsibility also relys with yourself. We hope that you do find them to be suitable for what you are looking for, and we hope you also appreciate them for what they are - much as we do. We are not a mass produced manufacturing company - and this is not seen as a "product" - more as a natural material which needs to be treated and understood as such.  

• Length and Diameter (at the top and at the bottom)
  • ​Natural poles all have taper and this varies according to species but also from tree to tree. For example, a Pine pole 5.0m long with a diameter of 75mm in the middle may have a taper rate of approximately 5.0mm per metre; this would make it 88mm at the butt and 62mm at the top. Further advice can be given at the quoting stage though it should be noted that all poles are slightly different.
• What finish are you looking for?
  • ​Natural - Bark will usually peel off after weathering over a number of years. The time this takes will depend on the species and the local environment. It is not uncommon for bark to be still in place after 5 years and this may be enhanced by application of timber protection products.
  • Peeled
  • Sanded
• The properties of natural wooden poles:
  • ​Sizes are nominal and may vary slightly
  • Poles are natural (not machined - these are often referred to as "machine rounds" in the timber industry) so they may vary in straightness and finish (which is the beauty of them) but will be as straight as possible unless you want something a bit different then do let us know. 

  • Peeled poles will start to season as soon as the bark is removed. When felled all green timber is said to have a moisture content of 100%. This means that there is approximately as much weight in the water in a pole as the weight of the wood! Drying outside can take as little as 5 weeks in the summer or as long as 3 months in the winter and once completed the air dried poles will stabilise at approximately 30% moisture contact (by contrast kiln dried timber eg window frames are taken down to 15%). In practice an air dried pole will lose about half its weight compared with the fresh felled green weight. However, air dried poles left outside , particularly in the winter will reabsorb some water from moisture in the air or rain.

  • Peeled poles may develop various surface moulds depending on how you store your wood, time of year and species; softwoods like Pine are more prone to these surface changes. This problem is most pronounced before the poles are seasoned (air dry) and when the weather is warm, still and humid. However, bringing unseasoned poles into a closed building can also make the problem worse if the air is moist and still (e.g. a storage container or closed garage).

  • During seasoning and particularly in hot weather coniferous poles will develop cracks along the length of the grain.  These cracks can be from 1mm up to about 8mm in large diameter poles. This is a natural process and seldom causes any reduction in pole strength. These natural cracks tend to close up a little in wet or humid conditions.

• The properties of different species:
  • At Woodpoint our most frequently used species are Softwood (Scots Pine, Douglas Fir, Norway Spruce) as well as Sweet Chestnut when required. Although we don't currently fell Sweet Chestnut ourselves, we can supply this subject to availability. Coniferous poles, for example Pine are available all year round however, Chestnut is a seasonally cut timber and availability reduces between June and October.
  • The conifer poles are quite straight and uniform and once seasoned have a density of approximately 0.6kg/litre. Natural durability is limited to approximately 3 years in the ground and up to 10 years out of the ground if treated and looked after.
  • Sweet Chestnut is a broadleaved tree (hardwood) with smooth green- grey bark and creamy/ light-brown wood. It is less straight than the Pine and hence looks more rustic. There are usually slight bends in a pole every 85cm to 120cm. Density is slightly more than Pine and the wood is harder to drill and nail into. It has far superior natural durability when compared with coniferous softwoods, being up to 10 years in the ground and 15 years plus, out of the ground if treated and looked after.
• The use:
  • Poles not in ground contact will remain reasonably sound where rainwater can run off them. Therefore in a built structure ,such as for example a pergola, the only places where decay is likely is at the joints where water can sit on flat surfaces like mortises,  tenons or butt joints.
  • Poles in ground contact are prone to decay in the zone from approximately 50mm above ground level to 200mm below ground level. Longevity can be increased by application of preservative to this zone to prevent decay. The bark should be peeled off and the exposed wood dried before application of preservative. Alternatively or in addition ground contact poles can be bolted to concrete or steel ground anchors so that the timber is above the zone of maximum decay. Alternatively application of PostSaver sleeves to the vulnerable area of the post will also greatly extend the service life.
• • Tipi poles vary according to Tipi design and size. Lengths usually need to be 1.5m greater than the tipi diameter. Check with Tipi suppliers for the pole specification which can broadly be categorised as follows: a.Small Tipis; pole tops 25-35mm and butts 60-75mm b.Medium Tipis: pole tops 35-50mm and butts 75-100mmc.Large Tipis; poles tops 50-70mm and butts 100-150mm Coniferous softwoods like Douglas For, Norway Spruce or Scots Pine are preferred due to their superior straightness compared with hardwoods like Chestnut. Poles are supplied both with the bark on or more usually fully peeled and sanded smooth. In both cases the branches are fully removed and machined to a smooth snag free finish at the knots.
  • Pioneering Poles are used by the Scouts and other outdoor groups for making structural projects.  Sizes range according to the age groups of the participants and are typically from 1.5m to 6.0m long. Diameters range from 50mm to 70mm at the thin end with 120mm at the butt end usually a maximum. The most common Pioneering poles are 65-70mm at the top, 75-90mm at the butt and 3.0m to 5.0m long. Conifers are preferred due to their straightness and are supplied both with the bark on or fully peeled and sanded smooth. In both cases the branches are fully removed and machined to a smooth snag free finish at the knots. 

• Aftercare - how you will look after them.

  As you are buying a natural product, rather than something that has been mass produced and pressure treated - the aftercare is really important if you want to get as many years out of your purchase as possible and reduce the risks of mould or early decay. The necessary steps to look after your poles is dependant on how green the wood is when you recieve it and what your intended use is, but all poles will need care and attention after purchasing. If you are interested in purchasing poles from us, we will send you more information that is relevant to your order. This will include - the best ways to store your poles if you intend to store them and use them again and suggested wood preservatives. 

Choosing Rustic Round Poles

We understand that you may not know what you need, and that natural wood may be a bit of a unknown for you - hopefully the above can act as a bit of a guide to inform and help you make those decisions. The information supplied is guidance only and does not form part of the contract of supply or a guarantee that any particular poles are suitable for any particular end use or structure. The information is offered from obervations based on thirty years of experience as help and advice in choosing natural wooden poles where, due to their inherent variation in properties and appearance, description and specification can be hard to define. Its the beauty of nature! 

When choosing timber type it is best to think about how it will last as well as how it looks when it is bought. What does it need to provide and for how long? Take a look below to find out more!

Ordering

• Our products are natural and due to the great variation in size and finish we recommend calling for advice when planning a project with natural poles.
• There are some points to consider set out on the 'Choosing rustic poles & wooden products' page
• Once you have a list of poles with size and pole finishing and your address and contact details we will provide a fixed price quotation that is valid for 30 days
• Email or text your order confirmation & we will raise an invoice on which there are payment details and a confirmed delivery date
• A 50% deposit is required to confirm orders

• Delivery times given at quotation are for guidance only. Confirmation of delivery date will be given at the time of order confirmation.

Delivery

• Delivery on our own vehicle can be to any UK location subject to quotation
• Collection available from our workshop in Hampshire or direct from our forest sites

• Delivery will be to kerbside of the delivery address on the order. Goods can be driven onto the property at the delivery driver’s discretion and the customers risk. Any damage caused will not be payable by WoodPoint.
• Customers will not be expected to assist unload unless agreed.
• Carrying goods within the property is at the driver’s discretion and the customer’s risk.lia