As wood degradation by fungi involves enzymes, which are active in aqueous environment, and because hyphae consist of up to 90% of water, wood fungi need water. Water is also used for the uptake of nutrients, the transport within the mycelium and as solvent for metabolism. Without water, the metabolism rests. The resting phase occurs by means of spores, in wood fungi particularly by chlamydospores. survived. Water is taken up from the substrate wood, the soil, and from masonry etc. Altogether the moisture content of wood is the most important factor for wood degradation by fungi and thus also for wood protection. Moisture in wood exists in two different forms: Bound or hygroscopic water occurs within the cell wall by means of hydrogen bounds at the hydroxyl groups mainly in the cellulose and hemicelluloses and to smaller extent in the lignin. Free or capillary water in liquid form is located in the cell lumen as well as in other holes and cavities of the wo
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