White rot may have a dark stain line on the edge. True or False?

The statement is true. White rot fungi can cause a condition in wood where dark staining may appear along the edges of the decayed area. This dark line, sometimes referred to as a "stain line," can be the result of the breakdown of lignin in the wood and the subsequent reaction with pigments from the fungi or other environmental factors. The presence of a dark stain line is common in certain species of wood affected by white rot, especially when they are subjected to specific environmental conditions that facilitate fungal growth.

Understanding this characteristic is important because it helps in identifying how and why certain decay patterns manifest in different wood species. White rot primarily affects hardwoods and leads to a characteristic bleaching of the wood, but the dark stain lines highlight the areas where the fungi have actively decayed the material, signifying the extent and severity of the rot.

This knowledge is essential for field representatives who may need to assess wood condition and make recommendations regarding treatment or replacement.