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Abstract:Eucalyptus species are native to Australia but grown extensively worldwide as short rotation hardwoods for a variety of products and as ornamentals. We describe their general importance with specific emphasis on existing and emerging markets as energy products and the potential to maximize their productivity as short rotation woody crops. Using experience in Florida USA and similar locations, we document their current energy applications and assess their productivity as short-term and likely long-term energy and related products.

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Wood durability researchers have long described fungal decay of timber using the starkly simple terms of white, brown and soft rot, along with the less destructive mold and stain fungi. These terms have taken on an almost iconic meaning but are only based upon the outward appearance of the damaged timber. Long-term deterioration studies, as well as the emerging genetic tools, are showing the fallacy of simplifying the decay process into such broad groups. This paper briefly reviews the fundamentals of fungal decay, staining and mold processes, then uses these fundamentals as the basis for a discussion of fungal attack of wood in light of current knowledge about these processes. Biotechnological applications of decay fungi are reviewed, and an overview is presented on how fungi surmount the protective barriers that coatings provide on surfaces. Advances in biochemical analyses have, in some cases, radically altered our perceptions of how wood is degraded, and even the relationships between fungal species, while other new findings have reinforced traditional perspectives. Suggestions for future research needs in the coatings field relative to enhanced fungal and environmental protection are presented.

Southern pine boards, both untreated and treated with a fire retardant, were exposed to either a room temperature or high temperature (66°C (150°F)) environment. Strength properties were measured after 1 and 1-1/2 years of exposure, respectively. The degree of polymerization and the chemical composition of αcellulose isolated from the exposed wood were measured. Little relationship was found between degree of polymerization and strength. However, a strong relationship was found between the amount of mannan in the α-cellulose isolated from the wood and the modulus of rupture and the work-tomaximum load of solid wood. This correlation leads to the conclusion that hemicellulose plays an important role in determining the strength of wood.