Changes in Toughness of Wood from Beetle-Killed Shortleaf Pine

Matched groups of specimens from healthy green shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) and from dead short- leaf pine killed by the effects of a bark beetle attack were tested for traditional and fracture toughness. Traditional and fracture toughness appeared to be related through four groups of specimens; normal or control, lightly stained, heavily stained plus incipient decay, and partial decay. Fracture toughness proved sensitive to the effects of early fungal sap stain and incipient decay, but appeared less sensitive than traditional toughness. Both measures of toughness indicated strength losses due to the effects of stain and decay fungi.

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