A 150 years old log building near Røros, Norway, has been in active use as a cowshed since its erection. The animals are kept inside the cowshed all winter and this causes a situation of a high moisture load on the wooden floor, wooden walls and ceiling. Logging of temperature and humidity over one year shows that there are favourable levels of moisture in the wood and air for development of mould and wood-decaying fungi. Despite this fact, there are no signs of mould growth or fungal decay in the exposed constructions. It is of interest to clarify the physical conditions that ensures the long service life of the wood despite critical humid conditions. This could give valuable insights into protection of wooden materials in other, similar moisture exposures in both historic and new buildings. Various possible explanations for the unexpected long service life of the wooden materials in the cowshed are discussed.

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