Oxfordshire Woodland Group

A standing dead beech tree was felled and cut up into 4ft lengths for firewood. The logs have been affected by powder post beetle which can eat it's way through heartwood.

This explains why (in general) that beech is not widely employed in timber building construction.

Close up examination reveals that the beetle damage emanates from drying cracks which would not be present in a healthy live tree. Note how the right hand section is largely unaffected by drying cracks and beetle damage.

This condition also affects elm and ash timber but not oak where most beetle damage is limited to the sapwood.