Trees submerged for 25 years...decay???

Interesting to see.
A friend of mine was in on a project in San Francisco where they were pulling pilings that were driven in the 19teens to stabilize an area filled with rubble from the 1906 earthquake. The pilings were coming out soaking wet from sitting in the saltwater just under the surface of the ground. Perfectly solid and preserved fir poles the size of telephone poles. Some have pieces of pottery still clinging to them. (100 years in salt water)
 
Trees that are cured underwater don't check/crack the bark falls off and they make the best string insturments. It just takes more than one human lifetime to do properly so who can plan that far ahead.
 
Yep, submerged trees are actually preserved. I think rot requires water, food and oxygen. Remove any of these 3 and it can't exist. When submerged, "usable" oxygen is out of the equation.

Old logs pulled from the water are highly prized in the lumber industry. Which is why Shelby (Ax Men) makes a pretty penny off of his. Apparently long submerged logs get interesting mineral streaks and have a much different look than the same kiln-dried species.

I'll bet those trees in Argentina could be worth some $!
 
Some "soft rot" fungi and bacteria can decay submerged wood, but very slowly.

I was at the Ameridendro dendrochronology conference in Tucson this week and there was a great presentation on intact submerged wood from the harbor in Istanbul from 800-1000 years ago. Pretty neat stuff! The wood was quite firm with clear rings.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom