An Investigation of the Natural Resistance of Melaleuca Quinquenervia to Tropical and Terrestrial Wood-Destroying Organisms

Heartwood from the trees of Melaleuca quinquenervia, an introduced species in southern Florida, lacks resistance to attack by termites, fungi, and marine borers. Stakes exposed 18 months in the Panamanian rain forest were heavily colonized by fungi and the mechanical strength of the wood was reduced considerably. Evidence of termite damage appeared much sooner than that of fungal damage. However, a large termite population never developed in the wood and the extent of termite damage never reached that caused by the fungi. Melaleuca stakes exposed in the Bay of Panama (Pacific Ocean) were heavily damaged by teredos and pholads within 12 months; stakes exposed in Limon Bay (Atlantic Ocean) were heavily damaged by limnorians (primarily) and teredos within 18 months. Stakes cut from near the sapwood/heartwood interface were as readily degraded by the wood-destroyers as those cut from the juvenile wood.

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