The study analyzes the causes of premature failure in wooden power line poles in Slovenia, where multiple cases of rapid fungal decay have occurred despite a projected service life of 30 to 50 years. The poles were made from Scots pine and impregnated with a copper-ethanolamine biocidal product. The objective of the research was to assess the condition of standing poles and investigate the primary causes of premature degradation, using two fallen poles as case studies. The methods employed included resistograph measurements to determine the extent of wood decay across cross-sections, core sampling to determine preservative penetration and retention, and microscopic and hyperspectral analyses of wood samples to precisely characterize the decay. The results revealed that wood impregnation was generally insufficient, leading to extensive decay, particularly in areas with insufficient biocidal retention or where the entire sapwood of the pine poles was not fully impregnated. The accelerated degradation of the poles was attributed to brown rot fungi. The study underscores the need for improved impregnation techniques and regular monitoring to ensure the longevity of the poles and the reliability of the electricity supply.
This article presents the key results and scientific findings from two national postdoctoral research projects supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Slovenia (MIZŠ) and the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS). We analyzed the biorefinery potential of low-value Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) wood for the extraction of natural bioactive compounds. Knotwood and heartwood were used as biomass for extracting polyphenolic compounds, which were subsequently applied in bio-based wood preservatives. The results showed that hydrophilic extractives from Scots pine knotwood and black locust heartwood inhibit fungal decay and demonstrate strong potential as biocidal components and antioxidants in natural wood protection formulations. Further research on the antioxidant and antifungal properties of wood and bark extractives is ongoing.
Residential wood fence posts may be dug directly into the ground, secured to a metal spike that goes into the ground, or secured to a concrete footing with a metal boot. It was hypothesized that, by keeping wood posts out of the ground, both spikes and boot attachments would increase protection against decay and termites and extend the service life of the posts. After 9 years of exposure in Kincardine, Ontario, Canada, at a site with decay and subterranean termites, we found that elevated fence post footings were associated with less biodegradation than posts dug directly into the soil. The spike and boot installations were particularly effective in reducing the incidence of termite attack under the conditions of this study. Spike and boot footings may offer a way to remediate posts by reusing the top portion of posts that were initially dug into the ground following a groundline failure.
Total wood demand is projected by the FAO to increase by 49% between 2020 and 2050, despite deteriorating supply conditions such as deforestation and degradation due to fire and biological damage to forests. Service life extension and reuse of wood can help to mitigate this projected gap between supply and demand. Common construction timber species with moderately durable heartwood include Scots pine, Douglas fir and Japanese cedar. However, this durability varies widely among clones, growing sites and within tree trunks. The selection and utilization of highly durable clones or individuals within these timber species could contribute to extending the service life of building and civil engineering structures that are at greater risk of biodegradation, such as building facades and landscape engineering applications. The authors would like to advance the discussion on measures to utilize this selected timber with higher durability, including maintenance strategies and the complementary use of treated timber within the circular economy.
This article presents the key results and scientific findings from two national postdoctoral research projects supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Slovenia (MI8) and the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS). We analyzed the biorefinery potential of low-value Scots pine (Pinussylvestris L.) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) wood for the extraction of natural bioactive compounds. Knotwood and heartwood were used as biomass for extracting polyphenolic compounds, which were subsequently applied in bio-based wood preservatives. The results showed that hydrophilic extractives from Scots pine knotwood and black locust heartwood inhibit fungal decay and demonstrate strong potential as biocidal components and antioxidants in natural wood protection formulations. Further research on the antioxidant and antifungal properties of wood and bark extractives is ongoing.
