Stages of Dry Rot

Spore Stage

• A wood moisture content of at 25 to 30 percent is necessary to encourage the infestation of dry rot spores. A single spore is microscopic, but in large numbers they appear as a fine orange brown dust. When the appropriate percentage of wood and moisture combine the spores activate and proceed to feed off the wood, causing the initial stage of dry rot.

Production of Hyphae

• Once the spores have been activated and start growing, they produce fine white strands similar to cobwebs that are called hyphae. The hyphae enable the dry rot to continue to grow and produce more hyphae which in turn breaks down the structure of the wood. Throughout this process the strength of the wood deteriorates and allows for the progression to the next stage.

Hyphae Mass

• Germination of the fungi includes numbers of the spores which results in a mass of hyphae known as mycelium. Formation of mycelium enables the dry rot to travel in search of food and allows more growth. The mycelium stage is where the fungi spores spread and infest more timber or even an entire building.

Final Stage

• Under favorable conditions dry rot mycelium multiplies at a considerable rate, according to Wise Property Care. The fungi thrive in damp, dark areas with little to no air circulation. When these ideal conditions change it causes the fungi to create a fruiting body or a sporophore. This is a mushroom-like cloud of spores that are released into the air to locate other favorable conditions in surrounding areas. The spores germinate and start the dry rot lifecycle over again in a new location.