The degradation of Scots pine sapwood cell walls by Serpula lacrymans, a brown rot fungus, is observed after various periods of exposure from two weeks to twelve weeks. The observation by microscopy shows that the hyphae of Serpula rapidly invade the wood tissues as cell wall degradation starts. That deterioration is not gradual, it is observed to be very irregular as well within the whole of the tissues as within one single tracheid considered alone. The enzymatic action occurs at a distance from the secreting hyphae, causing an irregular desintegration of the various layers of the wall. The degradation of the wall is observed and analysed by scanning electron microscopy.

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