Durability of thermally modified Pinus banksiana (Jack pine) wood against brown and white rot fungi

Abstract

The resistance of thermally modified Canadian Pinus banksiana against four wood decaying fungi was evaluated. Wood samples were treated at different temperatures (190, 200 and 210°C) and exposed to three brown rot fungi as well as to a white rot fungus. Results showed that the untreated wood samples lost more weight when exposed to P. placenta, T. versicolor and G. trabeum compared to the weight loss observed in case of C. puteana. Thermal modification at 210°C improved the resistance of Pinus banksiana against G. trabeum and T. versicolor fungi as evident from the fact that reduction in weight loss of wood was found to be 98·3 and 96·3% respectively.

Keywords:

• Decay resistance
• Pinus banksiana
• Brown rot fungi
• White rot fungus
• Thermal modification
• Wood degradation

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr Yasar Kocaefe, Dr Noura Oumarou, Dr Dipankar Bhattacharyay and Claire Fournier for their collaboration during the thermal modification trials and fungal tests. The financial support of NSERC, UQAC (University of Quebec at Chicoutimi) and FUQAC (Foundation of University of Quebec at Chicoutimi) is greatly appreciated.