Wood natural durability testing under laboratory conditions: results from a round-robin test

In Europe, the durability of wood against wood-destroying basidiomycetes is tested according to CEN/TS 15083-1 (Durability of wood and wood-based products-determination of the natural durability of solid wood against wood-destroying fungi, test methods-part 1: basidiomycetes, 2005). Existing experience with this standard is quite heterogeneous wherefore six research institutions teamed up and established a new round-robin trial. Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Robinia pseudoacacia as well as sap- and heartwood of Pinus sylvestris, were tested against Coniophora puteana and Trametes versicolor without any pre-treatment, with pre-leaching (EN 84) and with 6 months natural weathering of the specimens. Durability classification revealed differences between test laboratories and depended on pre-treatment and respective statistical measures applied.