Characteristics of Ten Tropical Hardwoods from Certified Forests in Bolivia. Part II. Natural Durability to Decay Fungi

Authors

  • Regis B. Miller
  • Alex C. Wiedenhoeft
  • R. Sam Williams
  • Willy Stockman
  • Frederick Green

Keywords:

Natural durability, soil-block test, tropical hardwoods

Abstract

The natural durability of 10 lesser known, commercially available Bolivian hardwoods to decay fungi was evaluated using a modified ASTM soil-block analysis for 12 weeks. The blocks were then retested for an additional 12 weeks to determine their level of decay resistance, as determined by percentage of weight loss. Astronium urundeuva, Caesalpinia cf. pluviosa, Schinopsis quebrachocolorado, and Tabebuia sp. (Iapacho group) were found to be highly resistant to decay; Amburana cearensis, Anadenanthera colubrina (syn: A. macrocarpa), Aspidosperma cylindrocarpon, Diplotropis purpurea, and Guibourtia chodatiana, resistant to decay; and Phyllostylon rhamnoides, moderately resistant to decay. We conclude that an extended soil-bottle test is an effective tool for assessing the level of natural durability of these and other tropical species.

References

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Published

2007-06-05

Issue

Number 3 / July 2003

Section

Research Contributions

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