OVER-THE-COUNTER PRESERVATIVES - THEIR ABILITY TO PROTECT WESTERN WOODS FROM FUNGAL ATTACK THROUGH SOIL CONTACT

Homeowners often use untreated wood in areas where decay is likely and provide supplemental protection through brush or dip application of a variety of commercially available preservatives. The efficacy of thes e preservatives was assessed on five wood species in soil-block and fu ngus-cellar trials, the latter conducted for 2 years. Preservative tre atments improved performance of most species except lodgepole pine; th e effects were most noticeable in fungus-cellar trials with redwood an d western redcedar. The results suggest that topical application of co mmercially available preservatives has merit for enhancing the perform ance of naturally durable woods in soil contact, but its value for les s durable woods is questionable.