The resistance of heat-treated sugi sapwood against three mold fungi was evaluated. Wood specimens were first subjected to heat treatments at 180 and 220ºC for 2 and 4 hours. Mold growth on the surface of the specimens was measured 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks after the inoculation with the fungi in laboratory conditions. Laboratory decay tests were performed using two brown and white-rot fungi along with the mold fungi. Lignin and hemicelluloses content of the specimens were also determined. Results showed that heat-treatments did not cause any increased resistance against A. niger however slight improvements were obtained against R. javanicus and G. virens. Decay resistance of heat-treated wood against T. versicolor remarkably increased; however, resistance against the brown-rot fungus, T. palustris did not increase significantly. Considerable changes were obtained in the hemicellulose content of heat-treated wood while lignin remained most stable component in the specimens.

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