Fungi Causing Decay in Wooden Boats

SUMMARY

Twenty species of wood rot fungi were isolated from or collected on specimens of decayed wood in boats, barges, tugs, schooners, motor boats, etc., and sporophores of several additional species known to cause decay in wood were collected. The important causes of softwood decay were Poria microspora, isolated 23 times; P. xantha, 21 times; P. carbonica, 7 times; and Lenzites saepiaria, 7 times. The more important hardwood fungi were Poria oleracea, obtained 12 times; Daedalea quercina, 9 times; and Stereum frustulosum, 7 times.

The more important hardwood fungi were species that also occur as heart rots in living oaks. Poria oleracea had previously been isolated from heart rot in oak and is described in this paper as a new species. The more important species in softwood boat timbers are known to be important in decay of buildings and other wood products, but are not known to be important causes of heart rot.