The Chemical Control of Lumber and Log Staining and Molding Fungi

Losses due to staining of the sapwood of lumber and logs are so heavy that any new discovery of methods to decrease them should command attention. Not only do the stains and molds depreciate the grade and value of the product but they cause overcutting of timber reserves to satisfy the demand for unblemished stock, and consequently overstocking of mill yards with low quality material. The authors investigated antiseptic chemical treatments to reduce the losses. They tried over 100 chemicals and found several to satisfy the requirements for lumber, among them organic mercury, and chlorinated and nonchlorinated phenol compounds and (for hardwoods) commercial borax, all greatly superior to past treatments and applicable to small as well as to large mill use. Treatment immediately after cutting is emphasized. Similar success was met with on logs.