Copper is an excellent biocide which has a long history of usage for protecting wood from deterioration, but some organisms have developed tolerance for this chemical. Copper tolerance among wood decay fungi is a poorly understood phenomenon that is gaining importance as cofactors such as arsenic and chromium are removed...
Supercritical fluid (SCF) impregnation is a promising preservative treatment method, however, the development of SCF processes has been slowed by a limited understanding of the process. Developing a better understanding of the effects of various process parameters on treatment results would allow for a more rational development of SCF impregnation....
In investigating wood treatment as a possible processing option for Alaska forest products manufacturers, the double-diffusion method using sodium fluoride followed by a copper sulfate appeared to be the most advantageous approach. Yet, little information was available as to the chemical retention after treating and its resistance to leaching. Green...
This study examined the decay resistance of the pine and maple components of wood plastic composites (WPC' s) of varying thicknesses exposed on several culture media to wood decay fungi under laboratory conditions. The ability of malt agar extract (MEA), potato dextrose agar (PDA), amended basal salts, sawdust (maple and...
Heartwood can have properties that are distinct from sapwood,
including resistance to insect and microbial attack. Despite the practical
importance of heartwood formation in trees, a review of the literature revealed
that little was known about the effects of environmental factors on heartwood
quality or how variations in heartwood properties...
The goal of this project was to develop an integrated pest management strategy
for the control of a powder-post beetle (Dinoderus minutus F.). This species causes
serious damage in Philippine bamboo. Developmental threshold and thermal constants
were examined and natural enemies and ftmgi associated with beetles were investigated.
Finally, the...
The goal of this study was to optimize a through-boring pattern that will provide adequate preservative penetration while minimizing the reduction in overall pole bending strength. Hole spacing was developed using longitudinal and transverse chemical penetration data from previous studies. Finite element analysis was used as a preliminary assessment tool...
New species introductions have been associated with the movement of
people for thousands of years. For instance, horses were introduced into North
America by Spanish explorers, while pigs were introduced by the Polynesians
into many Pacific islands long before the establishment of permanent
European settlements. Both of these species introductions...
Moisture intrusion in residential structures can lead to substantial fungal decay and this damage costs billions in repair/replacement costs. The extent of damage and the rate at which it occurs are primarily dependent on the wood moisture content and temperature in the structure. Determining the risk of decay for various...
The Pacific Northwest is blessed with an abundance of precipitation. This rainfall, however, can have important consequences for industries that must process the resulting stormwater for proper discharge. This is particularly true of wood treatment facilities. Past management practices at wood preserving facilities located in the Western United States create...
Logging and forest thinning operations generate large amounts of residues in the form of small trees, branches and foliage that are usually left on the ground to decay or are burned. These resources are readily available, but it is uneconomical to remove them from the forest. The potential utilization of...
Copper is the most common ingredient in waterborne preservatives and provides excellent activity against most fungi and insects. However, issues associated with copper migration from treated wood have created increasing concerns about potential risks to non-target organisms in surrounding environments, especially those in sensitive aquatic environments. Various Best Management Practices...
Phytophthora ramorum is a plant pathogen that was accidentally introduced to the United States. This invasive microorganism has killed over a million trees in California and Oregon, and continues to spread to new areas. Diseased areas have been nationally quarantined to prevent further spread and more than ninety countries include...
Resistance to moisture uptake is an important attribute of some wood preservatives and can help reduce moisture cycling that leads to the development of deep checks. While the potential for preservative treatments to help improve wood/moisture interactions is acknowledged, there are no tests that specifically evaluate this performance parameter. Checking...
Boron and boron compounds have been long used for pressure treatment, dip-diffusion, and remedial treatments of wood because of their proven efficacy against fungi and insects. These materials are especially attractive because their high water solubility promotes deeper penetration into wood. Other useful properties of boron include its neutral pH,...
There are over 130 million wood poles supporting electrical transmission and distribution lines in the U.S. The vast majority of these poles are preservative treated to prolong their useful life. In some cases, however, the depth of treatment is relatively shallow, leaving a deep zone of moderately durable, untreated heartwood....
Fungi are the primary biological agents of wood deterioration and cause major economic losses of wood products globally. Wood in outdoor applications tends to remain wet for extended time periods, making it susceptible to fungal attack. Understanding the factors involved in fungal colonization of wood is important for developing improved...
Natural durability remains one of the most attractive characteristics of wood, and helps wood obtain a premium price. A worldwide shift towards the use of younger trees from intensively managed forests has created greater concerns about wood quality, especially the wood’s resistance to fungi and insects. Wood durability is assessed...
The sustainable use of wood for rail ties requires chemical treatment to increase service life and maintain structural integrity. Treatment can only be applied after lengthy air-seasoning to reduce moisture content in wood, but seasoning leaves ties exposed to attack by decay fungi for up to a year. One factor...
Wood plays a key role in modern electrical infrastructure; crossarms and power poles utilize the high strength to weight ratio, availability and low cost of wood to facilitate the access of power to millions of Americans. However, wood presents a variety of challenges as a material. In structural applications, one...