Wood is a versatile, natural, and environmentally friendly resource that has attracted attention as a material for sustainable building for many years. Recent advances in materials research have delivered several innovative solutions for the construction sector. However, intrinsic properties of wood affects its operational durability, which is still a limiting factor in many applications and environments. As a biological material, wood is sensitive to environmental conditions and microorganisms; therefore, wood products require additional protective measures to extend their service life in outdoor applications. Systems created by nature are valuable sources of inspiration for the development of new concepts, materials and solutions implemented in various fields, including structural engineering and the built environment. In recent years, possible benefits from concepts developed by nature have also become more interesting for sustainable materials design including wood protection and modification. This contribution provides an overview of inspiring phenomena occurring in nature that can be understood, transferred, and implemented to enhance various wood properties.

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