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Evaluation of Kiln Heating as a Phytosanitary Treatment for Ceratocystis-Infested ‘Ōhi‘a (Metrosideros polymorpha) Wood

Formally Refereed

Abstract

Phytosanitary heat treatments of Ceratocystis lukuohia and Ceratocystis huliohia-colonized Metrosideros polymorpha wood were evaluated using kilns. Wood poles subjected to a 22- to 34-day dehumidification kiln schedule with a heat treatment to 60°C to the poles' core. In vacuum kiln trials, logs were heated to 56°C at 70 percent log radius depth and the temperature maintained for 30 minutes. Neither Ceratocystis species was isolated from heat-treated wood using carrot baiting, whereas both fungi were isolated from control logs held at ambient temperature. Results of this study offer kilnheating as a way to eradicate Ceratocystis fungi from M. polymorpha wood.

Citation

Hughes, Marc A.; Juzwik, Jennifer; Chen, Zhangjing; Luiz, Blaine; Keith, Lisa M. 2022. Evaluation of Kiln Heating as a Phytosanitary Treatment for Ceratocystis-Infested ‘Ōhi‘a (Metrosideros polymorpha) Wood. Forest Products Journal. 72(3): 207-215. https://doi.org/10.13073/FPJ-D-22-00024.
Citations
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/65423