Radiata pine (Pinus radiata) wood panels which had been ponded for periods ranging from 2 to 12 weeks were examined by light microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for bacterial colonisation of wood and degradation of pit membranes. After 2 weeks of ponding bacteria colonised the outer few cells of wood, and the degradation of pet membranes was limited to outer 2 to 3 cells. With an increase in the ponding time bacteria in the wood increased in number and also penetrated the wood more deeply. In the wood panels ponded for 12 weeks the degradation of pit membranes was extensive in the outer 10 to 12 cells. There was a good correlation between the extent of loss of pit membranes and that of coating penetration into wood (see part 2 for coating penetration).

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