Little is known yet about the effects of bacteria alone on wood. In ponded logs, bacteria do invade pits-mostly the microfibrils of the pit margos. Under some conditions, bacteria have been known to digest some cell wall constituents. Some bacteria genera commonly associated with this type of wood alteration are Pseudomonas, Bacillus , and Clostridium . Bacteria are often intimately associated with fungi in the decay process.
Many bacteria are facultative forms.
Figure 99 Bacteria on pine pits. Wetwood Figure 100 Wetwood associated with small stubs in white fir. Bacteria are the only major organisms associated with a wood condition called wetwood. The infected wood may or may not be darkly discolored. The infected wood may have a bleached or glassy appearance.