Mushrooms

[Wendylee]

I have a 6 foot dolphin that was carved from the trunk of an oak tree we had cut down in my backyard. The carver sealed it with Sikkens Cetol after staing it with another Sikkens product.
The first summer everything was fine. This summer, the stump is infested with mushrooms. We've dug them out of the wood, treated it with a fungicide, re-coated it with Sikkens, and then with a polyurethane spray when the Sikkens didn't work, all to no avail. The mushrooms seem to be rotting the carving, and I'm afraid we'll lose the statue. Does anyone have any ideas? Please help if you can. Thank you, Wendy

[SeaLeveler]

The shrooms are growing there because of the moisture in the wood.You would have to dry the wood completely then apply some spar varnish.Not sure but that's what I would do.Maybe an experienced chainsaw carver will chine in.
Tony

[Wendylee]

Thank you for the response. Since the carving is located in a garden surrounded by flowers, do you have any ideas on how to dry it out? Especially here in Florida, where an afternoon rain happens more often than not.

[AlArchie]

Wendy, one of the things that may be affecting that sculpture is that the bottom, open grain may not have been sealed. Or if cracks have opened up, that gives both moisture and fungal spores access points. Even if you can get that dolphin in out of the rain, you may have problems drying it because of two factors. 1. High humidity in your area and 2. Being that the piece was sealed originally, that will now seal the moisture IN.

If you are near a good marina, you may try contacting someone with knowledge of treating and repairing wooden boats. There are chemical treatments, but they are nasty stuff.

Al

[brian-bailey]

Wendy,

Here is a link to a fact sheet that has pertinent information regarding your dilemma.

Wood Rot, HYG-3300-96

Home Depot sells a product online that is very effective in stopping wood from rotting.

PC Products PC-Wood Guardian 4 oz. - 604045 at The Home Depot

Brian...

[Wendylee]

Thank you, everybody. We'll try the Home Depot product right away.