The effectiveness of fused borate rods in preventing or eliminating decay in ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir

An investigation of the effectiveness of fused borate rods in preventing and eliminating decay in pine and Douglas-fir was made on behalf of Public Works Canada. In a laboratory study, ponderosa pine samples were impregnated with water. They were conditioned in the laboratory to approximately 50 percent moisture content prior to inoculation with Postia placenta, Gloeophyllum trabeum and Coniophora puteana. Some samples were also treated with fused borate rods at the time of inoculation. Other samples were treated with rods 4 and 8 weeks after inoculation.