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The Wood Protection Association (WPA) UK has published interim findings from its 10-year field trial demonstrating the substantial performance benefits of correctly treated wood in ground contact applications. The results show a marked improvement in durability and resistance to decay when compared to untreated timber products. Source: Timberbiz In an online presentation to sponsors of the field trial in June 2025, WPA Director Neil Ryan said the majority of untreated wood posts at the two test sites have now completely failed due to fungal decay, with data suggesting an average service life of less than five years. The study – the largest independent assessment of treated wood ever carried out in the UK – also notably shows that larch posts are failing faster than any other species. “These results clearly show that UK softwood species are not fit for purpose when used in ground contact applications. They also dispel the myth that larch is durable and can be used in this way without preservative treatment,” Mr Ryan said. After 10 years, the preservative-treated posts in the trial are performing well, particularly incised spruce. Some opening of incisions and elevated moisture content has been noted, but without deterioration of the wood. Across all species and treatment types in the trial, there have been only isolated failures of treated posts. “This is not entirely unexpected after 10 years,” Mr Ryan said. “These are clearly outliers on the bell curve of preservative performance, with others in the same species and preservative group rated zero – meaning they still have no visible decay present at all.” WPA Chairman Steve Young added that these results are fantastic news for the wood treatment sector as they provide clear evidence of the huge importance of using correctly treated wood. “We will be promoting these results to the market, in the press and on social media in the weeks ahead, and we advise all WPA members to ensure they are communicating them to their customers, too. WPA is happy to develop text for any member who wishes to promote the fact that correctly treated wood can be trusted to perform,” he said. The WPA set up the field trial in 2015, in partnership with BRE and a group of industry sponsors, with the goal of helping to develop industry standards – including BS 8417 and the WPA Code of Practice, to support WPA Benchmark quality approval schemes for treated wood, and to build market confidence in preservative treated British softwood species. The trial is testing hundreds of wooden posts and stakes at two field test sites: BRE Garston, Watford, England – a London clay loam; and Birnie Wood, Elgin, Scotland – sandy loam overlying gravel deposits. After the completion of the initial 10-year term, the project has been extended for a further five years.

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