Losses in weight, losses in bending strength and changes in elastic behaviour were assessed in a fungus cellar test with beech wood stakes (Fagus sylvatica). Results were gained after 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks resp . The outcomes show, that the non-durable species beech is very rapidly attacked by fungi and loses up to 60% of its initial bending strength even within the first 8 weeks. Earlier research by Militz et al. (1996) showed that a durable species in the same period and under comparable conditions do not have any strength reduction. An assessment of weight loss lead to mass losses of ca. 20 - 30% within the same period. From the results it can be stated, that the use of MOR instead of or in combination with weight loss assessments have some advantages to the solely use of weight loss assessments. Furthermore, the outcomes show that as a non-destructive method, MOE assessments are a good tool in the prediction of fungal attack. For the inspection of field trials, the dynamic vibration method can offer some advantages, because no laboratory equipment is needed and the measurements only take some seconds. Further research is ongoing to gain more knowledge on the role of varying moisture contents of stakes in field trials on this type of MOE assessment.

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