Proceedings e report - Firenze University Press

WOOD SCIENCE FOR CONSERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE
The survey on enclosed structures was performed with Olympus Fiberoptic device R080-063-
045SW115-50.
3. Fungal decay of wood in architectural heritage of Estonia
The distribution of detected fungal decay of wood is presented in Fig. 2 where Serpula lacrymans and
moulds account for 62% and 22%, respectively. As the survey was performed on culturally valuable
buildings at risk rather than at buildings selected at random, Fig. 2 reflects the distribution of fungal
decay recognized in the buildings examined. The decay caused by Coniophora puteana is most
widely recognized because of its high rate of growth and extensive scope of damage.
2%
1%
97%
Brown rot White rot Soft rot
125
0% 7% 1%
3% 1%
0%
86%
2%
Coniophora marmorata Antrodia serialis Coniophora puteana
Antrodia vaillantii Antrodia sinuosa Serpula lacrymans
Serpula Himantioides Leucogyrophana pinastri
Fig. 3 Types of wood rot Fig. 4 Brown rot fungi
3.1. Wood-destroying fungi
The majority of basidiomycete wood-rotting fungi present in the buildings in Estonia account for the
development of brown rot (Fig. 3). White rot has been detected in and around the foundation and in
the structures placed below the ground level. Soft rot fungi have only been identified in 3 cases in the
Timber Foundations of the Old Town of Tartu. The most frequently recognized causes of brown rot
include Serpula lacrymans and Coniophora puteana, [4] along with Leucogyrophana spp. and
Antrodia spp. [8] (Fig. 4). The data in Table 1 suggest that all the above fungi primarily affect the
softwood inside the buildings. Serpula lacrymans is common in cellars and in the ground floor
structures and less common in the wall structures and upper floor structures. In the latter case, the
structures built in 1700-1930 are most extensively infested as these were stuffed with loam for
insulation and fire protection. This type of filler keeps wet and provides fungi with alkaline and acid
elements to maintain the PH-level that promotes their growth. Coniophora puteana mainly affects
cellars and the ground floor structures (mostly when the cellar is missing). Antrodia spp. is bound to
flourish around the leaks in the roofs and window openings though different species of Antrodia can
also inhabit the areas around leaking pipes or rooms of high humidity. Different species of
Leucogyrophana are also present in cellars and around the leaks in pipes but they can spread all over
the building. The Corticiaceae appear to be attracted to leaks in floor structures.
Table 1. Some common brown-rot fungi [3]