Redwood Rot and Termites

Repelling Termites

• Any wood that comes in contact with the ground or is in close proximity to it is susceptible to termite attack. Pressure-treated woods, composite lumber and naturally resistant woods such as redwood, cedar and cypress can thwart the plans of the hungriest termites. Redwood, cypress and cedar trees are referred to as terpenoids as they naturally secrete essential oils that repel termites.

Rot

• Termites are often blamed for damage done to wood structures when that damage is actually the result of rot. While the damage from rot does mimic that done by termites, a lack of mud tunnels or sawdust rule these insects out. The rot is actually the result of fungi, which may remain dormant for long periods of time while living in the wood. Since these fungi need water to propagate, any soft, crumbly spots in the wood near pools of water or moist soil are probably the result of fungus and not termites.

Redwood Use

• The essential oils like eugenol and citronellal that make redwood lumber termite and rot resistant are concentrated mainly in the heartwood of old growth lumber. Much of the redwood used today is made from the sapwood due to its lower cost, and this construction-grade wood is not as resistant as the heartwood and, unless chemically treated, will need replacement after several years of use.

Termites

• While termites are essential in nature for recycling plant and wood materials, they can cause massive damage when they infest man-made structures. Termite tunnels contribute to the porosity of the soil, allowing more air and water circulation for plant growth, but these pests can also attack books, food and household furniture if other wood is farther away. Much like ants, termites can form large colonies; they tend to form large flying swarms in the spring and fall.