Abstract: A method for testing wooden utility poles for structural soundness, which quickly indicates usual structural conditions which make the pole unsound, such as rot, porosity and internal cavities, includes converting infrared radiation received from a utility pole being tested to visually observable form, comparing such radiation in such form, as received from different locations along the length of the utility pole, and noting disparities therein, which indicate portions of a pole which may be structurally unsound. The infrared radiation is converted to visually observable form by means of a cathode ray tube and appropriate optical and electronic transducers and circuitry, the infrared pattern is viewed by an operator of the equipment, sometimes preferably with a plurality of views of the pole being observed, and photographs of the cathode ray tube display are taken for future reference and study.