A Report on the Durability of Some Common Indian Timbers Treated with Creosote: Fuel Oil in Cochin Harbour Waters

Results of a study on the efficacy of creosote fuel oil (50:50) treatment on 15 species of Indian timbers against marine borers attack in the Cochin harbour waters for a period of eight years are presented. The study shows that even though all the creosote: fuel oil treated timbers were attacked by marine borers, treatment with creosote: fuel oil to an absorption of 160 to 320 kg/M³ is a highly promising method of protection against marine wood deteriorating organisms. Majority of the creosote: fuel oil treated test panels showed good resistance to borers and with stood any serious damage even after eight years of exposure in the harbour waters. It was found that D. indicus, T. grandis and X. xylocarps gave the best results after creosoting. No remarkable differences between two absorption levels of creosote: fuel oil tested were noticed. It was also found that like P. fragans, S. robusta (Bihar and W. Bengal),P. roxburghii etc. which have only low natural durability gave results comparable to those of the best species like T. grandis, D.indicus and X. xylocarpa, after creosoting.