Durability to decay organisms of Pinus nigra subsp. laricio var. corsicana. Influence of the moon phase

IRG/WP 16-10869

M T Troya, M Conde, M J Barriola, F Llinares, V Dorronsoro

Actually the use of wood has an added value since it is a renewable, biodegradable and recyclable material. For this reason, the evaluation of it natural durability is essential when establishing the level of protection required, being depending on the designated end use of timber. On the other hand, there is a popular belief based on the influence of the moon phase in felling timber, recommending the waning moon as the optimum for felling trees. The aim of this work was to study the resistance of Pinus nigra subsp. laricio var. corsicana to be decayed by brown and white-rot Basidiomycetes (Coniophora puteana (Schumacher ex Fries) Karsten and Postia placenta (Fries) sensu Cooke J. Eriksson) and termites (Reticulitermes grassei Clément). In the same way has been evaluated the possible influence of felling during the waxing and waning moon phases, on the durability. Durability is established applying the European Standards CEN / TS 15083-1 for Basydiomycetes and EN-117 for termites. The results show that this species is not durable against the fungi studied and termites, and there is not significant differences between the two moon phases. The only differences have been found in the reference wood of Pinus sylvestris, where the obtained results advice to cut the trees better in waxing than in waning moon phase.


Keywords: moon phase, Pinus nigra subsp. laricio var. corsicana, wood durability

Conference: 16-05-15/19 Lisbon, Portugal


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