Making the grade as a utility pole is no small feat. Only select trees meet the rigorous standards required, with only 5-7% of trees per stand meeting the criteria.

Utility poles can come from unexpected places, including PUD Commissioner Dan Toeppers property. Selective harvesting offers a sustainable way to source high-quality poles without large-scale clear cutting, while promoting better growth for the surrounding stand. Here, Commissioner Toepper walks us through identifying and selectively harvesting cedar trees for future utility pole use. Read more: www.jeffpud.org/forest-to-grid-local-utility-poles-video/ ... See MoreSee Less