Durability of preservative-treated Populus nigra cv. italica timber cultivated in Santa Cruz, Argentina

KEIL G.; DIAZ B.; OTAÑO M.; MURACE M.; PERI P.L.

Buenos Aires

Simposio; Fourth Latin American Biodeterioration and Biodegradation Symposium; 2001

Latin American Biodeterioration and Biodegradation

Populus nigra cv Italica (Alamo criollo), is the main species planted for windbreaks in Santa Cruz province (Argentina). In spite of the low durability of its timber, Alamo has been a traditional source of poles for rural constructions in southern Patagonia. The objective of this work was to determine the treated timber durability of Populus nigra cv italica from Santa Cruz. The timber was treated with CCA using the full-cell method. Laboratory degradation tests were carried out according to modified ASTM D-1413 standards, using two wood-degrading fungi: Coriolus versicolor and Lentinus lepideus. Lenga (Nothofagus pumilio) heartwood, a wide used native timber in the region, was also included in the study as a comparison. Untreated Alamo timber had the greatest weight loss over 150 days (66.8% for C versicolor and 29.8% for L lepideus). CCA treatment improved their durability (1.1% for Cv and 2.5% for Ll) compared with Lenga (29.2% for C.v. and 13.6% for L.l.).