North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["ben franklin" <goatlunchfarm@hotmail.com>]

Re: rot-resistance of woods,locust and chestnut artevalued because they are 
rot-resistant under the most difficult conditions,namely alternate wetting 
and pasrtial drying.  Fungi need to breathe,too, I fuess.

Other woods (with which i have no personal experience ) of the same repute 
include Catalpa and osage Orange (Maclura Pomifera)

Alder's rot resistance is only under the peculiar circumstance of continuous 
submersion,whether in flowing water or under the permanent water table.  A 
notable historical example of he latter is its use as pilings for support of 
bridge piers and buildings,some reputedly of alder and still in use from 
Roman times.

John Leyzorek

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