The microbial ecology of small birch stakes exposed in soil beds in two Fungus Cellars was investigated. Patterns of fungal colonisation and decay initiation are described in untreated birch and copper fluosilicate-treated stakes. Results are based on fungal isolation onto selective media and direct light microscopical observations of decay features. In untreated stakes there was a rapid build-up of soft rot fungi and extensive soft rot decay within two weeks which increased with time. In treated stakes the frequency of isolation of soft rot fungi was lower at the ground line, increasing to a maximum at the base of the stakes. Soft rot decay was initiated at the base of the stakes and this may be due to loss of the preservative by cationic exchange between elements of the preservative and cations in the soil solution. The influence of soil moisture content on decay was also indicated. Treated stakes in the drier soil bed showed signs of basidiomycete attack at the ground line, soft rot being limited to the wetter basal zones.

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