In some countries such as Australia, the wood of Eucalyptus globulus is recommended, due to its high durability, in risk situations where attack by organisms is likely to occur. In Galicia this species has been used for many decades for timber structures, which are still used. However, European Standard EN-350-2 places Eucalyptus globulus in the worst category of natural durability, a situation that does not correspond to the facts. The objective of this project is to determine the durability of this species against wood decay fungi and wood boring insects and to classify E. globulus in the abovementioned standard accordingly. To achieve this objective, laboratory and field tests against fungi and insect attack are being carried out. The preliminary results of the laboratory tests with white and soft rot indicate that the heartwood is durable (class 2), sapwood is not durable (class 5) and juvenile wood is not durable (class 5). The results obtained in the laboratory tests with the Lyctus indicate that the heartwood is durable (D), sapwood is sensitive (S) and juvenile wood is sensitive (S). The results obtained in the termite tests indicate that the heartwood, sapwood and juvenile wood are all sensitive (S). These results confirm the high durability of the heartwood of this species, pending the conclusion of the remaining tests.

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