CCA Treated Poles are among the most widely used structural timber products in Southern Africa — and for good reason. Milled from fast-growing Eucalyptus (gum) species, these poles are pressure-impregnated with Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA), a preservative that bonds permanently into the wood fibres to resist rot, fungal decay, termites, and borer insects. The result is a pole that can last 20 to 40+ years in demanding conditions, including in-ground installation and constant exposure to moisture.

Bundu Poles stocks both 1-sided poles, which have a flat face ideal for fence lines and retaining walls, and 2-sided poles for structural and freestanding applications.

What is CCA Treatment?

CCA stands for Chromated Copper Arsenate. During treatment, poles are placed in a pressure vessel where the CCA solution is forced deep into the wood cells under high pressure — not just painted on the surface. Once fixed, the chemicals become insoluble and the treated pole is safe to handle when dry. Treatment is performed to H3 to H5 hazard class, which is the standard required for above ground, ground contact and freshwater exposure in South Africa under SANS 457-3 or SANS 1288.

Interesting Fact:

A properly CCA-treated pole can outlast untreated timber by a factor of 5 to 10. An untreated gum pole in ground contact may last as little as 2–5 years in moist soil, while an H4-treated equivalent regularly exceeds 30 years.

Sizes Available:

Here is our product range with sizes:

Lengths Available on Request

Standard lengths range from 1.2 m up to 13 m for structural applications.

Typical Applications:

Farm and game fencing, boundary demarcation, carports and car sheds, pergolas and braai areas, thatched lapa structures, bridge supports, slope erosion control, and retaining walls.

Did You Know?

Eucalyptus (gum) poles have a natural density and straight grain that make them ideal for CCA treatment penetration. They absorb preservative more evenly than many other species, which is one of the reasons they dominate the South African poles market.

While round poles have a rustic, natural character, square poles bring a clean, architectural precision to structural and decorative timber work. CCA Treated Square Poles and pressure-treated to H3, combining the dimensional accuracy of milled timber with the rot and pest resistance of CCA treatment. They are widely used where a flat face is needed for joining, cladding attachment, or modern design aesthetics.

Sizes Available:

Here is our product range with sizes:

Interesting Fact:

Square poles offer a significant advantage over round poles when it comes to joinery — flat faces allow for clean 90-degree connections with standard hardware, reducing the need for custom brackets. This makes them a favourite among architects and designers working on modern outdoor structures.

Did You Know?

A 150 x 150 mm square post has a cross-sectional area of 22,500 mm² — nearly equivalent to a 170 mm diameter round pole. The key difference is that square profiles allow for full surface contact with connecting members, distributing loads more evenly across joints.

Typical Applications:

Pergola and shade structure uprights, carport posts, gate posts, deck sub-structure posts, retaining wall columns, modern lapa and entertainment area construction.

Bearers are horizontal structural members that carry loads and transfer them to supporting posts. In simple terms, they’re the beams that hold things up — whether that’s a deck, a walkway, a raised garden bed, or the floor structure of a carport or outbuilding. CCA Treated Bearers from Bundu Poles are pressure-treated to the same H3 standard as our poles, ensuring they perform reliably even in wet or humid environments.

Available in both 1-sided and 2-sided profiles, bearers are sized by their width/height dimensions rather than diameter alone, allowing builders and contractors to select the right load-bearing capacity for their project.

Why Treatment Matters for Bearers:

Bearers are frequently installed in positions where moisture, condensation, and even standing water can accumulate — under decks, in crawl spaces, and near soil contact. Without treatment, a bearer in these conditions can begin to decay within 2–3 years. CCA treatment prevents this by killing the fungi and insects that cause wood breakdown before they can establish.

Interesting Fact:

Structural decay in bearer timber often goes unnoticed until it becomes a safety hazard. H3-treated bearers are specifically engineered to resist this “hidden rot” and give builders and homeowners peace of mind.

Sizes Available:

Here is our product range with sizes:

Typical Applications:

Deck substructures, raised platforms, pergola cross-members, bridge stringers, agricultural shed floors, and walkway supports.

Technical Note:

When selecting bearer size, a general rule of thumb is that span determines required depth — the longer the distance between supporting posts, the deeper the bearer needs to be to prevent deflection (sagging). Always consult a structural engineer for load-bearing calculations on permanent structures.

Sizes and Packaging:

Latte is typically 22 – 32 mm in diameter. It is supplied in bundles of 10 pieces, with 3.5 bundles equalling approximately 1 lineal metre of fence height when stacked — a useful guide for estimating quantities on fencing projects.

Interesting Fact:

A single strand of standard game fence using three latte rails per panel will consume approximately 45 latte pieces per 100 metres of fence line — a number that catches many first-time fencers off guard when they’re pricing materials!

Typical Applications:

Farm and game fencing (as horizontal rails between posts), vineyard trellis systems, kraal construction, chicken and small-animal enclosures, and rustic garden fencing.

Pro Tip for Buyers:

Always account for your fence height and the number of rails required per bay when calculating latte quantities. A standard cattle fence may use 3–4 rails, while a game fence for impala or blesbok typically needs 6–8 rails at varying heights.

In fencing, a dropper is a short vertical timber member placed between main fence posts at regular intervals. Droppers hold the horizontal fence wires at the correct spacing and prevent the wires from spreading, bowing, or being pushed through by animals. Without droppers, a wire fence quickly loses its shape, its effectiveness, and ultimately its value. Bundupale’s CCA Treated Droppers are manufactured to size and treated to H3 for long-term performance.

Sizes and Packaging:

Droppers range from 32 – 45 mm in diameter and are bundled in groups of 10, with 2.5 bundles covering approximately 1 lineal metre of fence when placed at standard spacing. This makes quantity calculations straightforward for farmers and fencing contractors.

Why Droppers Matter:

A fence without droppers is like a book without a spine — it won’t hold its shape under pressure. Animals lean, push, and test fence lines constantly. Properly spaced droppers ensure the wires maintain their designed spacing, keeping animals in (or out) and the fence wire from tangling or breaking.

Interesting Fact:

On game farms, the spacing of droppers is critical — different game species require different wire spacings. Warthog-proof fencing, for example, requires much closer dropper spacing than a standard cattle fence.

Typical Applications:

Game and cattle fencing, sheep fencing, commercial security fencing, agricultural boundary fencing.

Technical Note:

Standard dropper spacing is typically 2–3 metres apart between main posts. In high-pressure areas (water points, loading facilities, gates), spacing is often reduced to 1.5 metres for added strength.

Tree stakes might seem like a minor product, but they play a critical role in the early life of newly planted trees, saplings, and vines. A young tree without support is vulnerable to wind rock — a phenomenon where repeated movement loosens the roots before they’ve had time to establish. Bundupale’s Sharpened Latte (Tree Stakes) are H4 treated, machine-sharpened to a point for easy ground insertion, and supplied in bundles of 20 pieces.

The H4 Advantage:

At ground level, timber is exposed to constant moisture, soil microbes, and wood-boring insects — the perfect recipe for rapid decay. H4 treatment ensures our tree stakes remain structurally sound for the full 2–3 year support period a young tree typically requires, without splitting, rotting, or becoming a pest habitat.

Interesting Fact:

Studies in commercial forestry show that staked trees establish root systems up to 40% faster than unstaked trees in windy environments. For orchards and commercial plantations, this translates directly into earlier and better yields.

Typical Applications:

Newly planted fruit trees and indigenous saplings, vineyard and olive orchard establishment, roadside and municipal tree planting programmes, nursery production.

Tip:

When staking a tree, drive the stake before planting to avoid root damage, and ensure the stake is positioned on the prevailing wind side of the tree. Tie loosely — the tree should be allowed to move slightly, as this actually stimulates root development.

What it is:

Tongue-free, profiled boards with a smooth or grooved top surface designed to be walked on. CCA-treated decking is the most common choice for outdoor decks exposed to rain, sun, and foot traffic.

Why choose CCA decking?

Untreated pine decking in an outdoor environment will grey, crack, and decay within 3–5 years. CCA-treated decking resists fungal attack, termite infestation, and moisture uptake — giving you a long lasting surface.

Interesting Fact:

South Africa has one of the highest per-capita outdoor living spaces in the world — the braai deck is practically a cultural institution. The outdoor decking market in SA consumes millions of board metres of treated pine annually.

Technical Notes:

Decking boards are typically laid with a 3–5 mm gap between boards to allow for drainage and natural timber movement. Always pre-drill near board ends to prevent splitting.

What it is:

Horizontal exterior cladding profiles designed to overlap or interlock, shedding rainwater away from the building structure beneath. Weatherboard has a tapered profile, Shiplap uses a rebated (stepped) joint, and Logcladding mimics the curved face of a log for a rustic aesthetic.

Why it works:

The overlapping profile creates a naturally water-resistant barrier without requiring additional waterproofing membranes. When CCA treated, these boards are fully suited to exposed exterior applications.

Interesting Fact:

Shiplap cladding originated in Scandinavian boat-building traditions — the “ship’s lap” joint was originally used to create waterproof hull planking before being adopted for building cladding. It remains one of the most effective rain-shedding profiles available in timber.

What it is:

Interlocking boards where one edge has a protruding tongue and the other a matching groove, creating a tight, seamless panel. T&G is the standard profile for timber ceilings, interior wall panelling, and flooring.

Why untreated?

T&G is primarily used in interior applications where moisture and pests are not a concern. Untreated timber is smoother-finishing, paints more cleanly, and is more cost-effective for indoor use.

Did You Know?

A properly installed T&G ceiling expands and contracts with seasonal humidity changes. That’s why the interlocking profile is essential — it allows movement without gaps opening up. Never fix both edges of a T&G board or you risk cupping and buckling.

What it is:

Sawn pine timber treated to CCA H3 standard for structural applications in building and construction. Used for wall plates, purlins, rafters, and other load-bearing elements that may be exposed to moisture above ground-level installation.

Why CCA for structural timber?

Where structural timber is installed at low level (close to the ground), under roof sheeting without ventilation, or in areas with high humidity (bathrooms, laundries, coastal buildings), CCA treatment provides critical long-term protection.

Technical Note:

Structural timber in South Africa is graded to SANS 1783 standards. The most common stress grades used in residential construction are S5 and S7 — the higher the number, the fewer allowable defects and the greater the design stress values.

What it is:

Construction-grade plywood used as concrete formwork (shuttering). C/C refers to the face grades — both sides have knots and small defects, making it unsuitable for visible surfaces but perfectly functional for temporary concrete casting.

Standard size:

1.22 m x 2.44 m (the universal “full sheet” building size, equal to 4 x 8 feet).

Interesting Fact:

The dimensions of a standard plywood sheet — 1.22 m x 2.44 m — are based on a human ergonomic standard. The sheet is just manageable by one person and was designed to align with standard stud spacing in timber frame construction.

What it is:

Unsurfaced, rough-sawn pine timber used for packing cases, crates, export packaging, and light structural applications. It is the most basic form of milled timber — cut to size but not planed or further processed.

Why rough sawn?

For applications where appearance doesn’t matter and economy does, rough sawn timber offers the best value per cubic metre. The slightly rougher surface also provides better paint and adhesive adhesion than planed surfaces.

Interesting Fact:

South Africa is a major exporter of fresh fruit and agricultural produce, and rough-sawn crating timber plays a surprisingly large role in that supply chain — the export pallets, crates, and frames that carry SA produce to world markets consume enormous volumes of rough-sawn pine each year.