World demand for wood products and the shortage of good quality lumber species are exerting pressure on native forests. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of Eremanthus erythropappus crude oil in improving the resistance of Pinus taeda wood to Rhodonia (≈Postia) placenta, Gloeophyllum trabeum, Neolentinus lepideus (brown rot) and Pycnoporus sanguineus (white rot) in accelerated laboratory decay tests. Test samples measured 1.90 × 1.90 × 1.90 cm. Oil was applied to wood surfaces using a brush to obtain nominal retentions of 15, 30, 45, and 60 kg of oil per m3 of wood. After treatment, the samples reached average retentions of 16.25, 28.75, 41.50, and 53.75 kg m-3, respectively, and were submitted to a soil block decay test (accelerated decay test) for 12 weeks. Increased oil retention caused a decline in the mass loss of Pinus taeda wood exposed to the fungi tested. A retention of 16.25 kg m-3 inhibited Rhodonia placenta degradation and prevented other xylophagous fungi attacks. The most severe decay occurred with Rhodonia placenta and the least with Pycnoporus sanguineus. Oil improved Pinus taeda resistance to the decay fungi, indicating that it is useful for treating wood in contact with domestic animals and humans, since it is not toxic to them.