What is dry rot?
Dry rot (right) is a weakening of wood caused by one of several species of fungus. The fungus digests the parts of the wood that give it strength and stiffness. Weakened wood is typically somewhat dry, hence the name "dry rot", and brittle and may have a "blocky" appearance.
Ironically, dry rot usually results from too much moisture in contact with wood. The fungus has the unusual ability to transport water from wet areas to dry areas allowing the fungus to grow in, and infect, dry wood. If not stopped the dry rot fungus will so weaken wood that it may eventually disintegrate.
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| Dry rot damage to structural wood. Photo by Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series. |
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