We reported previously that in laboratory tests, pretreatment of Douglas-fir and Southern Pine blocks with Scytalidium lignicola prevented decay. In the present work, we determined 1) the ability of Scytalidium lignicola to colonize and survive in wood exposed in the field, 2) the decay resistance of blocks removed from previously treated Scytalidium lignicola wood and 3) the effect of Scytalidium lignicola on strength of wood (modulus of rupture (MOR). After two years exposure in the field, Scytalidium lignicola was still isolated throughout pine log sections. Decay fungi were not isolated from Scytalidium lignicola treated sections but were isolated from untreated controls. Unsterilized blocks removed from the pine sections after one year's exposure in the field were resistant to decay by Coriolus versicolor and Postia Placenta. However, decay prevention was lost when blocks were sterilized. Southern Pine and Douglas-fir timbers (15.2x15.2x30.5 cm³) treated with Scytalidium lignicola were completely colonized by one month. Like the pine sections, unsterilized wood removed from the timbers was decay resistant but resistance was lost with propylene oxide sterilization. MOR of Southern Pine was only slightly reduced after 16 weeks exposure to Scytalidium lignicola over soil.

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