PER CENT. WEIGHT LOSS PER CENT. WEIGHT LOSS 
Resistance to Decay of Fijian Timber — Osborne 
547 
60 
40 
20 
FOMES LIVIDU8 
• • 
9 
99 
•: 
9 9 
9. 9 
40 80 120 180 
PER CENT. WATER UPTAKE 
200 
60 
40 
<-> 20 
Qc : 
LU 
CL 
PYCNOPORUS COCCINEUS 
• • 
• • • • 
I !• 
J J_ 
40 80 120 180 
PER CENT. WATER UPTAKE 
200 
60 
40 i- 
20 - 
LENZITES TRABEA 
• 9 
. ** 
• 9 • 
40 80 120 180 200 
PER CENT. WATER UPTAKE 
60 
40 
<-> 20 
cr 
CONIOPHORA OLIVACEA 
9 9 
9 
9 
9 9 
• •! 
• - - i 
40 
80 120 180 
PER CENT. WATER UPTAKE 
200 
Fig. 2. Relationship of decay resistance to water uptake (species means). 
high water absorption and susceptibility to 
decay within each of these species. 
DISCUSSION 
From the data in Tables 2, 3, and 4 it can 
be seen that Palaquium hornei proved ex- 
tremely durable, even after a second, more 
severe decay test. Its resistance is comparable 
with that of the highly durable reference tim- 
ber, Eucalyptus microcorys, which is one of the 
timbers used in Australia for prolonged service 
in ground contact. Intsia bijuga and Fagraea 
gracilipes were also found to be durable, al- 
though I. bijuga did not show such high resis- 
tance after prolonged exposure to F. lividus. 
Specimens of L bijuga from New Guinea have 
been tested and shown to have comparable 
durability to the Fijian samples (Da Costa and 
Osborne, 1967), and also similar susceptibility 
to F. lividus during a second decay period. This 
timber has been widely used in ground contact 
in New Guinea, apparently with satisfactory 
results, and so the high susceptibility to F. 
lividus may be misleading. Syzygium spp. com- 
plex, Dacrydium elatum, Podocarpus neriifolius , 
Garcinia myrtifolia, Heritiera ornithocephala , 
Swietenia macrophylla, and Palaquium fdjiense 
all showed moderate durability, being slightly 
less resistant than Tectona grandis, which does 
not give extremely long service in the ground 
although it has an international reputation for 
durability. 
The remaining 16 timbers would probably 
be too susceptible for use in any situation of 
high decay hazard, such as ground contact, but 
a few less susceptible species could possibly 
give satisfactory service as exposed woodwork. 
