The phrase
"wood decay" refers to the process where wood breaks down and becomes damaged due to fungi or other organisms that feed on it, causing it to rot and lose its strength.
Full definition
A novel paper led by Inger Skrede (University of Olso, Norway) reveals a number of features that can explain why the dry to fungus Serpula lacrymans is the most successful invasive
wood decay fungus in the built environment.
«Measuring trees with the speed of sound: Non-invasive sonic technology measures
wood decay in living, tropical trees.»
Gilbert's research
on wood decay is building toward a large study about how pathogens and diseases control the prevalence of tropical tree species.
Understanding wood decay in forests is of special concern in the tropics because tropical forests are estimated to harbor 96 % of the world's tree diversity and about 25 % of terrestrial carbon, compared to the roughly 10 % of carbon held in temperate forests.
The research team behind the present investigation analyzed and compared the genomes and characteristics of three strains
of wood decay fungi, including the highly successful Serpula lacrymans.
If sufficient water accumulates at the bottom plate, mold growth will occur ultimately followed
by wood decay.
Salvage logging refers to the practice of harvesting fire - killed trees («salvage») to extract economic value from them before
the wood decays.
The wood decay fungus Heterobasidion parviporum causes root rot in spruce and is a serious pathogen.
Steering wheel — The wood steering wheel is believed to be original and is in good condition, with no chips or
wood decay.
Eventually the decaying matter provides nutrients to the plants and critters, and as
the wood decays it helps to prevent the soil from becoming compacted.
This can be even more important for owners of wooden homes, because wood is vulnerable to problems that a brick or stone home is not, such as termites and
wood decay.