Evaluation of Kiln Heating as a Phytosanitary Treatment for Ceratocystis-Infested ‘Ōhi‘a (Metrosideros polymorpha) Wood

Abstract

Phytosanitary heat treatments of Ceratocystis lukuohia and Ceratocystis huliohia-colonized Metrosideros polymorpha wood were evaluated using kilns. Wood poles subjected to a 22- to 34-day dehumidification kiln schedule with a heat treatment to 60°C to the poles' core. In vacuum kiln trials, logs were heated to 56°C at 70 percent log radius depth and the temperature maintained for 30 minutes. Neither Ceratocystis species was isolated from heat-treated wood using carrot baiting, whereas both fungi were isolated from control logs held at ambient temperature. Results of this study offer kiln-heating as a way to eradicate Ceratocystis fungi from M. polymorpha wood.