In this context, it is interesting to notice that in the philosophy of the Native people, Totem poles were supposed to decay. Western people, however, want to preserve such artifacts by the use of chemicals that will prevent saprophytes from breaking down the Totem poles. From this point of view, saprophytes are considered a nuisance. Yet another example of the negative consequences of saprophytism, is dry rot, which occurs in wooden houses, and other wooden structures, causing the wood to deteriorate and the structure to fall apart. Especially in very humid areas such as the Tropics, this problem is very common, because fungi grow particularly well in humid surroundings.
Wood is a very common material for building.
In the use of wood for railway ties, as well as electricity poles, the wood must not decompose, as the replacement of these would be very inconvenient. Therefore, chemicals such as fungicides like creosote are used to prevent degradation. Alternatives to the chemical treatment of wood by fungicides, are the technique of pressurizing the wood, as well as the use of plastic wood. Plastic wood is a new substitute for wood that is made out of recycled plastic. However, when chemically treated or pressurized wood is no longer useful, it is very difficult for it to decompose, and therefore piles up as waste.