The influence of phenolic compounds injections to the stems of living trees on wood decay caused by fungi

Abstract

Wp³yw iniekcji wybranych substancji fenolowych do pni ¿ywych drzew na rozk³ad drewna powodowany przez grzybyThe influence of phenolic compounds injections to the stems of living trees on wood decay caused by fungi Abstract. In this paper results of an experiment with artificial application of some phenolic compounds to the stems of living trees are shown. It was made to increase natural wood resistance against fungi responsible for its decay. 35 young oak-trees growing in the stands from central Poland were chosen. First, they were carefully measured and their average masses were calculated. Then they were divided on seven groups, each one consisting of 5 trees. Five of these groups were treated with chosen phenolic compounds: eugenol, isoeugenol, resorcinol, pyrogallol and 2-furaldehyde. The sixth group was treated only with water and the last one was a control group (without any treatment). Phenolic compounds and water were applied directly to the stems using hydrostatic injections. The application was made three times in 7-day period. Seven days after the last treatment all 35 trees were cut down and collected wood samples were measured, dried and weighted. Then, the samples were exposed on the mycelium of two testing fungus species: Laetiporus sulphureus and Trametes versicolor. After 30 and 60 days wood samples were put out, dried and weighted once again. Then the loss of their mass was calculated. The experiment showed that wood collected from trees treated only with water and from control trees (without any injections) was decayed much faster than wood collected from trees injected with every of 5 tested phenolic compounds.The experiment showed that phenolic compounds play an important role in natural wood protection against fungi causing huge damages to trees. They are able to be applied straightly to the stems and protect them 'from inside'.