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Other Wood Destroying Organisms:
Brown Rot | Deathwatch Beetle (Anobiid) | False (or Large) Powderpost Beetle | True Powderpost Beetle (Lyctid)
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Common name: |
Latin name: |
Class: |
Order: |
Family: |
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Brown Rot |
Gloephyllum spp., Daedalea spp. etc. |
Basidiomycetes |
Polyporales |
Polyporaceae |
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Where Found: |
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Brown Rot occurs throughout most of the United States where there is abundant moisture. |
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Comparison: |
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Some sap-staining fungi do cause brown or black stains, but do not result in abnormal shrinkage of the wood into brittle cubes that crumble when crushed. Surface-staining fungi which also result in brown or black stains give the wood surface a powdery or fuzzy appearance, but these types do not produce shrinkage or cubes either. |
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Biology: |
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Spread by spores. Brown Rot attacks the wood's sugars and starches, as well as the cellulose of the cell walls, which can reduce the strength of the wood and cause it to absorb more moisture. Some Brown Rot fungi can withstand high heat and dryness. Some species can remain dormant for long periods and then revive when moisture is present. |
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Damage: |
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Mostly attacks softwoods, such as pine, spruce, and fir, with a wood moisture content of 28-32% or greater. |
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Invasion: |
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Commonly attacks softwoods, turning the wood dark brown and shrinking it abnormally during drying, resulting in a cracked, cube-like appearance. Cracks run perpendicular to the natural wood grain. When this cube shaped wood is dry, it crushes easily into powder. Brown Rot produces fruiting bodies which look like crusts, shelves, or mushrooms, with a tough, leathery, corky or woody texture when mature. Once Brown Rot has extracted all nutrients from the wood, the wood may become dry and powdery leaving the impression that dry wood has rotted (dry rot) but in reality it is an old infestation of Brown Rot. |
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Control: |
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Wood Destroying Organism control requires inspection of the structure by a registered company and state licensed inspector to find and identify conditions. A written report will be issued. This report must list findings and appropriate recommendations as per the rules and regulations established by the regulatory agencies in the various States. Consult with you local office for the requirements that effect your structure.
Brown rot is a living organism or fungus. It requires high moisture content to survive. Along with the identification of this organism, recommendation should be made to control the moisture condition that is fostering its growth. Treatment of the wood members or total replacement may be required depending on the findings from the inspection. Recommendation for the control of this condition should also include recommendations to repair structural damages caused by it. |
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