Wood poles, when properly treated and maintained, can have a service life of 30-50 years, with some lasting even longer. While steel and concrete poles can have a longer lifespan (50-80 years), they are often more expensive and heavier, making installation more difficult. From an environmental perspective, wood is a renewable resource from sustainably managed forests, and its production often has a lower carbon footprint compared to the manufacturing of steel or concrete poles. The key difference lies in the maintenance cycle and the overall life-cycle cost, which can vary depending on the specific application and environment.