Sunday, March 7, 2010

Why are the tops of these pylons caved in like this? -

I took this picture in Sausalito, California -- in a waterside park I think called Dunphy Park. I was curious about these pylons there. What accounts for the rot pattern? Bugs? Animals -- woodpeckers? Or natural erosion?http://www.flickr.com/photos/93027850@N00/4118973456/in/set-72157622892776702Thanks!

I would say a combination of water sitting on top and the fact that preservatives don t penetrate heartwood very well would lead to the center rotting first. The pattern is very typical for pilings.