Resistance of 22 southern hardwoods to wood-decay fungi and subterranean termites

Abstract

Of 22 hardwood species growing on southern pine sites, blackjack, white, and post oaks proved most resistant to attack by the brown-rot fungus, Lenzites trabea. The amount of decay ranged from 8 percent for blackjack and white oak to 67 percent for red maple. Winged elm, yellow-poplar, and post, black, white, and southern red oaks were the most resistant to attack by the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes. After 8 weeks, less than 1 percent of the termites survived on post oak and winged elm; but 72 percent survived on hackberry, the most susceptible species. The amount of wood eaten ranged from 131 mg for winged elm to 530 mg for hackberry. The oaks as a group appeared to be relatively resistant to both termites and decay fungi in our laboratory tests.

Citation

Carter, F.Y.; Amburgey, T.L.; Manwiller, F.G. 1976. Resistance of 22 southern hardwoods to wood-decay fungi and subterranean termites. Wood Science 8(4):223-226