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Evaluation of thermally-treated wood of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) against Mediterranean termites (Reticulitermes spp.)

Beständigkeit von thermisch behandeltem Buchen- (Fagus sylvatica L.) und Eschenholz (Fraxinus excelsior L.) gegen mediterrane Termiten (Reticulitermes spp.)

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Abstract

Termite resistance of thermally-treated ash (Fraxinus excelsior L) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L) against subterranean termites (Reticulitermes banyulensis) was evaluated. A laboratory no-choice feeding test following the standard EN 177 was performed to assess the efficacy of this thermo-modification against subterranean termites in the Mediterranean area. After 8 weeks period of exposure, results showed that durability against termites was slightly improved for thermally-treated beech wood, which was classified as moderately durable. However, in case of thermally-treated ash wood, samples were highly biodegraded by termites, revealing no increase in their durability and being classified as non durable.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Group on Forest Science and Technology, Polytechnic University of Valencia, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain

    José-Vicente Oliver-Villanueva

  2. Department of Wood Biology and Wood Products, Georg-August-University Göttigen, Büsgenweg 4, 37077, Göttingen, Germany

    Patricia Gascón-Garrido

  3. Department of Wood Technology and Biotechnology, AIDIMA - Wood, Furniture and Packaging Research Institute, Benjamin Franklin 13, 46980, Paterna, Spain

    María de Sales Ibiza-Palacios

Authors
  1. José-Vicente Oliver-Villanueva
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  2. Patricia Gascón-Garrido
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  3. María de Sales Ibiza-Palacios
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Correspondence to José-Vicente Oliver-Villanueva.

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Oliver-Villanueva, JV., Gascón-Garrido, P. & Ibiza-Palacios, M.S. Evaluation of thermally-treated wood of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) against Mediterranean termites (Reticulitermes spp.). Eur. J. Wood Prod. 71, 391–393 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-013-0687-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-013-0687-2

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