This is a discussion that I intended to stay out of.

FWIW, we set our poles at 10% of the pole height plus two feet. A 45' pole would be set 6 1/2 feet deep.

If the soil is not heavy so we can tamp the butt solid, we will backfill around the pole with #53 crushed stone. We also use #53 crushed stone around most of our main line distribution and the transmission poles. [Linked Image]

_________________________________________________
Charlie Eldridge, Indianapolis, Utility Power Guy

Charlie Eldridge, Indianapolis Utility Power Guy