Wood-decaying fungi are responsible for the degradation of wood and the alteration in its material properties. Fomes fomentarius (L.) Fr. is one of the most common white-rot fungi colonising coarse wood and standing trees. In recent years, according to their genetic, physiological, and morphological differences, Fomes inzengae (Ces. and De Not.) Lécuru was identified as an independent species. This article aimed to compare the impact of the degradation caused by both species on the anatomical, physical, and mechanical properties of beech wood. When comparing the degradation caused by different strains of both species, no statistically significant difference was found in mass loss (ML) or moisture content (MC). A relevant correlation between ML and MC was confirmed for both species. Variabilities in the density distribution of the degraded and intact bending samples were found to be statistically different. No relevant difference was observed in the modulus of rupture (MOR) between the two species after each exposure period. A strong linear relationship between the MOR and the dynamic modulus of elasticity was revealed for both species. Both species showed decay patterns typical for simultaneous white rot and soft rot. According to the presented results, the impact of both species on the investigated material properties of wood cannot be considered significantly different.

Strength loss caused by fungal degradation is an important factor to be considered during tree-stability assessment. Detailed information on the relationship between static mechanical properties in relation to the heterogeneity of density and dynamic mechanical parameters of wood degraded by the soft-rot fungus Kretzschmaria deusta can improve the understanding of its decay process and the interpretation of results obtained from stress-wave-based non-destructive methods used for tree-stability assessment. This research presents density profiles of artificially inoculated samples with K. deusta and static mechanical properties of green beech wood in relation to physical parameters (density, moisture content, vibroacoustic parameters). A statistically relevant difference (p < 0.01) in the variability of density distribution between degraded and intact samples was proved. Relevant correlations were proved among modulus of rupture ( M O R $MOR$ ), mass loss and variability longitudinal density distribution. A strong linear relationship between M O R $MOR$ and static modulus of elasticity ( M O E $MOE$ ) of degraded and intact specimens was presented. A strong relationship was also proved between M O R $MOR$ and dynamic parameters (dynamic modulus of elasticity ( M O E D $MOED$ ) and stress-wave velocity in longitudinal direction ( c l ${c}_{l}$ )). M O E D $MOED$ showed a stronger correlation to M O R $MOR$ than c l ${c}_{l}$ proving the importance of density in assessing strength loss through non-destructive methods.

The interpretation of the outputs of acoustic tomography is often altered by different physical and mechanical parameters. Detailed information on the relationships between static mechanical properties and dynamic parameters of intact and degraded green wood can improve the results of this device-supported method used for tree stability assessment. This research presents a graphic and statistic comparison of acoustic tomography outputs with the laboratory assessed material parameters. The analysis was based on the relationship between the dynamic and static mechanical parameters of four cross-sections from two living tree stems. The occurrence of seven white and soft rot fungi was taken into consideration. The influence of density ($$\uprho$$ ρ ) on stress-wave propagation ($$v$$ v ) was proved. A strong correlation between the dynamic moduli of elasticity ($${E}_{dyn}$$ E dyn ) and compressive strength ($$\upsigma$$ σ ) is reported. A higher heterogeneity of wood degradation among the cross-section can lead to an underestimation of the defect during AT assessment. The dynamic modulus of elasticity $${E}_{dyn}$$ E dyn was less influenced than $$v$$ v by the heterogeneity of degraded wood. Therefore, $${E}_{dyn}$$ E dyn can be used to form a better interpretation of acoustic tomography assessment of standing beech trees. Due to the complexity of the topic, further investigation of previously mentioned relationships is still needed.

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