Siliceous timbers such as turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera) are highly resistant to certain marine borers. Attempts to mimic this resistance by chemical treatment however, have met with limited success. This paper describes the impregnation of Pinus radiata and eucalypt timber specimens with organo-silicate formulations. The treated timber gains a pattern of resistance to marine borers that approaches that found in turpentine. The treated timber can be attacked by Limnoria and Sphaeroma, but is highly resistant to teredinids. It is postulated that silica granules disrupt the gut of teredinids, because they must swallow all that they chew, whereas the crustaceans may be able to avoid consuming silica granules. Marine trials that investigate the use of silica in single and double treatments with CCA are described.

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