Untreated check surfaces are often exposed in CCA-treated lumber of refractory species used above ground since, during weathering, some checks develop beyond the preservative penetrated zone. However, decay is seldom observed in these checks even after many years of exposure. It is hypothesized that minor amounts of mobile CCA preservative components redistribute during weathering into checks, and that this 'surface treatment' prevents fungal spores washed into checks from germinating and causing decay. A substantial amount of copper was found on the exposed check and end-cut surface in exposed wood through the current research, and whether spores are prevented from germinating by this amount of chemical is being studied.

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