Micro-specimens from both hardwood and softwood were exposed to selected species of field isolated fungi. The strength reduction and weight loss caused by these fungi were determined. A statistical procedure was then developed to classify the fungi into brown-, white-rot, or non-decay fungal categories based on these data. The procedure reveals the extent of hazard a fungus poses to wood members. Using established base criteria as described herein, the procedure can be used to classify unknown field-isolated fungi to a pre-specified degree of certainty. Although this approach to fungal classification is not novel, it has not been used previously for decay classification. Implementation of similar classification procedures employing additional parameters would help to refine the approach allowing laboratories other than those specializing in fungal taxonomy to conduct accurate decay analyses on field samples.

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