Main Diseases of Timber Wood

Describe the main “Diseases’ of timber.

Main Diseases of Timber Wood

Timber suffers from three main diseases.

(i) Dry rot

(ii) Wet rot

(iii) Circumferential Shrinkage

(i) Dry rot

Dry rot is the decay caused by fungus and reduces it to a dry and powdery conditions. It happens when the wood is confined to a place where no circulation of air occurs. To prevent dry rot, timber should be stocked in such a way that a free circulation of air can take place. The timber should be well seasoned and free from sap. Painting of copper sulphate solution on the wood increase the resistance of wood against dry rot.

(ii) Wet rot

Wet rot is a chemical decay due to dampness or moisture. Effected portions are reduced to a grayish brown powder. To prevent wet rot, wood should be seasoned and then protected by tarring or painting.

(iii) Circumferential Shrinkage

It starts from the outside of a stem and runs radically towards the centre. The cause for this disease is due to the shrinkage of outer tissues drying faster than the inner tissues.