Effect of Distance Above Ground during Air Seasoning on Flexural Properties of Blackgum and Red Oak Ties

Abstract

Stacks of red oak (Quercus rubra) and black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) railroad ties were seasoned 150, 200, or 300 mm above the ground to investigate the effect of height on fungal colonization and timber properties. Decay fungi became increasingly abundant as seasoning time increased. Decay fungi were more abundant on black gum than red oak ties, but fungal isolation frequency did not differ with variation in seasoning sill height. Similarly, neither MOR nor MOE differed with seasoning height. The results indicate that decreasing the tie seasoning height by 150 mm had no significant effect on either fungal colonization or timber properties.