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Fungus on untreated wood

7/5/13       
Jerome Scott Member

Website: http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com

This fungus is growing on an art project along the shore of Lake Michigan in Chicago. The project took untreated felled trees (sugar and norway maple, hackberry), removed the bark (after a few months of being on the ground), painted the trees, and stuck the trees in the ground. This fungus first appeared on the maples and now is on every tree (of 15). I would greatly appreicate a method for 1) removing the fruiting bodies in a way that they will not return, 2) comments on how this will effect the stability of the wood. I have other photos (somewhere) if nec. I'm ready to re-paint when it gets to that.

7/6/13       #2: Fungus on untreated wood ...
Tim G

1.Carefully remove trees.
2. Pile trees either in a cross hatch pattern or tee-pee shape.
3. Apply fuel of your choice.
4.Strike match.
5. Throw match on previously mentioned pile.

Sorry to be a smart Alec but what you did is like the perfect recipe to grow fungus, short inoculating the trees to begin with.
Do your research next time and chalk it up experience.

7/6/13       #3: Fungus on untreated wood ...
Kilgore Trout Member

Just because someone took a few trees and called it art does not mean the trees will not do what trees do - go back to nature. The fungus is one of the first steps in a natural process that neither you or I can - or should - do anything about.

While there are methods of using various chemical concoctions - broad spectrum biocides to limit fungal growth in wood, they are by their nature toxic and not be loosed on the general public. They also must be done before the trees are 'installed'.

Far better to celebrate the fungus and let it be part of the artwork. Let it be.

I find it more than a little disturbing that people in the "Parks" department don't already know all this. Does no one remember their basic biology?

7/8/13       #4: Fungus on untreated wood ...
scott

"Far better to celebrate the fungus and let it be part of the artwork. Let it be. "

Kilgore - exactly what I was thinking.

John met Yoko at one of her exhibitions. In it was a pedestal with an apple on it. As time passed the apple rotted away. Let it be!

7/9/13       #5: Fungus on untreated wood ...
scott

OK - to answer your question - as noted you are fighting an uphill battle against Mother Nature. The species here are great growers fungal stuff too.
Try a paint dealer for an antifungal paint or additive. Maybe Kilz exterior primer will slow things down a bit. Neither will be a true fix.
If the parks dept. has really deep pockets & really likes this installation and really wants to sustain it go to West Marine or other marine supply store and get "bottom paint". Tell them how you intent to use it. Check the MSDS, I doubt you'll get any LEEDS points.

7/9/13       #6: Fungus on untreated wood ...
Keith Newton

Scott, are you suggesting that he use that bottom paint on the part which is underground? Maybe you would like to show him how to apply that. ha

This is a lost cause. The trees which you chose are like cotton candy to all the vermin that turn trees back into earth, and nothing you do, short of pulling them out, and sending them through a pressure treatment, will stop that now.

You should have come here to ask questions before finding yourself in this situation after the fact.


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