Timber durability is often assessed using small wood stakes exposed in direct soil contact, and the assessment generally emphasizes effects on wood rather than organisms involved. Understanding fungal colonization patterns can help identify key decay agents under varying conditions and use these patterns to improve wood protection strategies. Fungal colonization of red alder (Alnus rubra), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) heartwood/sapwood, and western redcedar (Thuja plicata) field stakes was assessed over 2 y in western Oregon. Spatiotemporal fungal community variations were identified via culturing and DNA sequencing, where 814 isolates were identified from 84 stakes. Forty-six ascomycete genera were identified, with Phialophora, Trichoderma, and Epicoccum species occurring most frequently. Twenty-three basidiomycete genera were identified, with Trametes and Phanerochaete being the most common. Douglas-fir and western redcedar stakes contained the highest and lowest diversity levels, respectively, reflecting natural durability differences of these species. Fungal species abundance was higher below ground than in the above ground and groundline zones, likely reflecting more stable moisture regimes, proximity to soil-based fungi, and potential nutrient migration into wood beneath the soil surface. Ascomycetes were proportionally more abundant early in the exposure period, but basidiomycetes were also observed early in the process, and there appeared to be no consistent colonization pattern.

Soil fungal communities play a central role in nutrient cycling and ecosystem functioning in tropical montane forests, yet the relative influence of topographic heterogeneity and soil depth on their assembly remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the composition, diversity, and functional structure of soil fungal communities associated with an experimental Podocarpus oleifolius plantation in the Colombian Andes. Using ITS2 rDNA sequencing, fungal assemblages were characterized from soil samples collected around ten trees distributed along a topographic gradient. For each tree, samples were collected at two soil depths (0–10 cm and 10–20 cm), yielding a total of 17 samples after quality control. Topographic variables derived from a digital elevation model were used to evaluate their influence on community structure. A total of 1875 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) were detected, dominated by Ascomycota. No significant differences in alpha or beta diversity were observed between soil depths. In contrast, slope emerged as the strongest environmental driver of community composition. A high proportion of unassigned OTUs highlighted the presence of poorly characterized fungal diversity. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating fine-scale terrain heterogeneity into restoration strategies with native species and into future studies of soil microbial dynamics in tropical montane ecosystems.

Retrophyllum rospigliosii is a valuable conifer species from the Andean tropical forests, reaching diameters up to 2.5 m and heights of 45 m. Due to its high commercial demand and distinctive shape and size, its wood is highly sought after, leading to its classification as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. This study evaluated the physical and mechanical properties of R. rospigliosii wood and how these properties vary according to tree diameter and height in plantation-grown specimens in the Cauca department, Colombia. Standard physical and mechanical tests followed international procedures to assess density, dimensional stability, and mechanical performance. The results showed stable wood density, with a basic wood density of 0.35 g/cm³, and a green density of 0.54 g/cm³. Volumetric shrinkage was 3.52% in the radial direction and 5.05% in the tangential direction, indicating good dimensional stability. Mechanical properties included a modulus of rupture (MOR) of 58.23 MPa, a modulus of elasticity (MOE) of 4702.23 MPa in static bending, and a compression strength of 54.08 MPa. Wood properties showed minimal variation across different diameter and height classes, indicating structural uniformity within the plantation. Given these characteristics, R. rospigliosii wood is suitable for non-structural applications such as furniture, moldings, and decorative items. Further studies should explore silvicultural strategies that enhance wood quality while ensuring sustainable management and conservation of this threatened species.