wooddecaying

Wooddecaying refers to the breakdown of timber by biological agents, most notably fungi, which decompose the structural and chemical components of wood. In forestry and building contexts, it describes losses in strength, appearance, and durability caused by such decay.

The principal wood-decaying organisms are fungi, grouped into brown rot, white rot, and soft rot. Brown rot primarily consumes cellulose and hemicellulose, leaving a crumbly, brownish wood with cubical cracking. White rot degrades lignin as well as polysaccharides, producing a lighter, fibrous texture and stringy masses. Soft rot occurs in damp conditions and causes shallow, often irregular cavities; it can develop when fungi are less aggressive or moisture is high over long periods.

Decay requires moisture and suitable temperatures; typical thresholds are moisture content above roughly 20%, with ongoing warmth and oxygen. Area exposure, wood species, and prior treatments influence susceptibility.

Decay plays a role in nutrient cycling in forests and ecosystems, breaking down fallen wood. In built environments, it weakens timbers, causes cosmetic damage, and can pose safety risks if structural members are compromised.

Prevention and control include maintaining low moisture, ensuring good ventilation, protecting wood with preservatives or coatings, using decay-resistant species, and keeping wood away from soil, gutters, and leaks. When decay is present, removal of affected wood and repair or replacement is typically necessary.