Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology

The Korean Society of Wood Science & Technology (한국목재공학회)
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Evaluation of the Natural Durability of Twelve Korean Major Domestic Wood Species

  • Jae-Hee JUNG (Forest Products and Industry Department, National Institute of Forest Science) ;
  • Sun Lul KWON (Forest Products and Industry Department, National Institute of Forest Science) ;
  • Sae-Min YOON (Forest Products and Industry Department, National Institute of Forest Science) ;
  • Jinae SHIN (Forest Products and Industry Department, National Institute of Forest Science) ;
  • Hyun-Mi LEE (Forest Products and Industry Department, National Institute of Forest Science) ;
  • Won-Joung HWANG (Forest Products and Industry Department, National Institute of Forest Science) ;
  • Yong-Seok CHOI (Forest Products and Industry Department, National Institute of Forest Science)
  • Received : 2025.03.24
  • Accepted : 2025.06.09
  • Published : 2025.09.25
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Abstract

This study evaluated the natural durability of 12 major Korean domestic wood species (four softwoods and eight hardwoods) against wood-decay fungi (Fomitopsis palustris, Trametes versicolor) and subterranean termites (Reticulitermes speratus). The natural decay resistance and natural termite resistance were evaluated in accordance with KS F 2213 and AWPA E1, respectively. The results confirmed significant differences in durability among tree species. In a decay resistance test, Mossy locust exhibited the highest durability with weight losses of 2.1% and 4.7%, which classified it as "Highly resistant". By contrast, Korean red pine and East Asian white birch exhibited the lowest durability, with weight losses of 57.7% and 45.4%, respectively, which classified them as "Slightly resistant or Nonresistant". In the termite resistance test, Japanese cedar, Tulip tree, and Sawleaf zelkova exhibited low weight loss (3.6%, 1.8%, and 1.7%, respectively) and high termite mortality rates (100%, 99.2%, and 90.3%, respectively) and were classified as "Highly resistant". By contrast, Korean red pine, Japanese larch, and East Asian white birch showed the highest weight loss (45.4%, 46.9%, and 40.3%, respectively) and lowest termite mortality (28.3%, 22.7%, and 13.9%, respectively) and were classified as "Slightly resistant or Nonresistant". The results of this study expand the durability database of Korean domestic wood species and provides fundamental reference data for their efficient and sustainable utilization.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This study was supported by the Project [FP0100-2021-01-2025] funded by the National Institutes of Forest Science.

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