Forest Products Laboratory - USDA Forest Service

From Lab Notes

Contact Information

Forest Products Laboratory
One Gifford Pinchot Drive
Madison, WI 53726-2398
Phone: (608) 231-9200
Fax: (608) 231-9592
Email

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Grant T. Kirker

Durability and Wood Protection Research
Unit: FPL-4723
Research Forest Products Technologist
One Gifford pinchot Drive
Madison, WI
United States
53726

Phone: 608-231-9256
gkirker@fs.fed.us

Research Interest

Microbial Community Dynamics of Wood Decay
Microbial Degradation of Wood Preservatives
Termite-Fungal Interactions
Naturally Durable Wood Species

Education

Mississippi State University, MS, Ph.D. Forest Products , 2008
Mississippi State University, MS, M.S. Entomology (minor=Plant Pathology) , 2004
Mississippi State University, MS, B.S. Agricultural Pest Management , 2001

Professional Organizations

American Society Of Testing Materials, Chair Of Subcommittee D07.06 (2015 - Current)
American Wood Preservers Association, Chair Of Committee P6 (Methods For The Evaluation Of Wood Preservatives) (2014 - Current)
Entomological Society of America, Member
Forest Products Society, Member
Society of Wood Science and Technology (SWST), Member
International Research Group on Wood Preservation, Member

Below are the 53 US Forest Service publications sorted by year. You may re-sort the list by: Title, Date Posted, Category, Publication or Year.

Publication Year: 2018

*Title:* Antioxidant effects of four heartwood extractives on midgut enzyme activity in Heterotermes indicola (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) *Source: Environmental Entomology. 47(3): 741-748. Author(s)* Hassan, Babar; Ahmed, Sohail; Kirker, Grant; Mankowski, Mark E, E. .; Misbah-ul-Haq, Muhammad Year: 2018 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Assessment of fastener corrosion and salt damage in the bilge of the Eureka *Source: Research Note FPL-RN-0356. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. 1-9. Author(s)* Zelinka, Samuel L.; Kirker, Grant T. Year: 2018 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Durability of mass timber structures: a review of the biological risks *Source: Wood and Fiber Science. 50: 110-127. Author(s)* Wang, J.Y. ; Stirling, R. ; Morris, Paul I; Taylor, A. ; Lloyed, J. ; Kirker, G. ; Lebow, S. ; Mankowski, M.E. Year: 2018 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Effects of Teak, Tectona grandis Linn, heartwood extractives against Heterotermes indicola (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) *Source: Proceedings, IRG annual meeting. The International Research Group on Wood Protection. 1-16. Author(s)* Hassan, Babar ; Ahmed, Sohail ; Mankowski, Mark , E. .; Kirker, Grant ; Ibach, Rebecca ; Misbah ul Haq, Muhammad Year: 2018 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Effects of White Mulberry (Morus alba) Heartwood Extract Against Reticulitermes flavipes (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) *Source: Journal of Economic Entomology. 111(3): 1337-1345. Author(s)* Hassan, B ; Mankowski, M , E. .; Kirker, G ; Clausen, C ; Ahmed, S. Year: 2018 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Fungal–copper interactions in wood examined with large field of view synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy *Source: Wood Material Science & Engineering. 16(5): 1-11. Author(s)* Zelinka, Samuel L.; Jakes, Joseph E.; Tang, Juliet ; Ohno, Katie , M.; Bishell, Amy ; Finney, Lydia ; Maxey, Evan R.; Vogt, Stefan ; Kirker, Grant T. Year: 2018 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Hexadecyl ammonium chloride amylose inclusion complex to emulsify cedarwood oil and treat wood against termites and wood-decay fungi *Source: International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation. 129: 95-101. Author(s)* Eller, F.J.; Hay, W.T.; Kirker, G.T.; Mankowski, M.E., E. .; Sellling, G.W. Year: 2018 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Northeastern United States species treated with copper-based preservatives: Durability in mississippi stake tests *Source: Maderas: Ciencia y tecnología. 20(3): 359-368. Author(s)* Lebow, Stan T.; Arango, Rachel A.; Lebow, Patricia K.; Kirker, Grant T.; Mankowski, Mark E., E. .; Halverson, Steven A. Year: 2018 view abstract, download publication »
Publication Year: 2017

*Title:* Amplicon-Based Sequencing of Soil Fungi from Wood Preservative Test Sites *Source: Frontiers in Microbiology Author(s)* Kirker, Grant T.; Bishell, Amy B.; Jusino, Michelle A.; Palmer, Jonathan M.; Hickey, William J.; Lindner, Daniel L. Year: 2017 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Amplicon-based sequencing of soil fungi from wood preservative test sites *Source: Frontiers in Microbiology. 8: 1-16 Author(s)* Kirker, Grant T.; Bishell, Amy B.; Jusino, Michelle A.; Palmer, Jonathan M.; Hickey, William J.; Lindner, Daniel L. Year: 2017 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* AWPA biodeterioration hazard map revisited *Source: In: McCowan, C.; Gothard, T.; Staula, B., eds. Proceedings, One hundred thirteenth annual meeting of the American wood protection association. Birmingham, AL: American Wood Protection Association: 90-99. Author(s)* Kirker, Grant T.; Bishell, Amy B.; Hickey, William J. Year: 2017 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Comparison of performance criteria for evaluating stake test data *Source: In: McCown, C.; Gothard, T.; Staula, B., eds. Proceedings, One hundred thirteenth annual meeting of the American wood protection association. Birmingham, AL: American Wood Protection Association: 246-256. Author(s)* Lebow, Stan T.; Lebow, Patricia K.; Kirker, Grant T. Year: 2017 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Comparison of performance of wood extractives as preservatives in field tests against termites and decay in the USA and Pakistan *Source: In: Proceedings, one hundred thirteenth annual meeting of the American wood protection association. Las Vegas, NV: April 9-11. 9 p. Author(s)* Hassan, Babar; Ahmed, Sohail; Mankowski, Mark, E. .; Kirker, Grant Year: 2017 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Effects of heartwood extractives on symbiotic protozoan communities and mortality in two termite species *Source: International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation. 123: 27-36. Author(s)* Hassan, Babar; Mankowski, Mark E., E. .; Kirker, Grant; Ahmed, Sohail Year: 2017 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Long term durability of solid heartwood stakes treated with ACA or CCA *Source: In: Proceedings, one hundred thirteenth annual meeting of the American wood protection association. Las Vegas, NV: April 9-11. 13 p. Author(s)* Mankowski, Mark E., E. .; Lebow, Stan; Kirker, Grant; Gjovik, Lee Year: 2017 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Modulus of elasticity loss as a rapid indicator of rot-fungal attack on untreated and preservative-treated wood in laboratory tests *Source: BioResources 12(1):1850-1860 Author(s)* Ma, Xingxia; Kirker, Grant T.; Clausen, Carol A.; Jiang, Mingliang; Zhou, Haibin Year: 2017 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Revisiting the role of bacteria in treated wood *Source: fplrip-4723-035-MSU-Kirker-Tang-Lim Author(s)* Tang, Juliet; Stokes, C. Elizabeth; Kirker, Grant Year: 2017 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Synchrotron based x-ray fluorescence microscopy confirms copper in the corrosion products of metals in contact with treated wood *Source: NACE CORROSION Conference & Expo Paper No. 9017. 8 p. Author(s)* Zelinka, Samuel L.; Jakes, Joseph E.; Kirker, Grant T.; Vine, David; Vogt, Stefan Year: 2017 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy enables multiscale spatial visualization of ions involved in fungal lignocellulose deconstruction *Source: Scientific Reports, Vol. 7:1-15. Author(s)* Kirker, Grant T.; Zelinka, Samuel; Gleber, Sophie-Charlotte; Vine, David; Finney, Lydia; Chen, Si; Hong, Young Pyo; Uyarte, Omar; Vogt, Stefan; Jellison, Jody; Goodell, Barry; Jakes, Joseph E. Year: 2017 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Untreated and copper-treated wood soaked in sodium oxalate: effects of decay by copper-tolerant and copper-sensitive fungi *Source: In: The international research group on wood protection, Section 1, Biology: Paper prepared for the IRG48 Scientific Conference on Wood Protection. Ghent, Belgium: 1-11. Author(s)* Ohno, Katie M.; Kirker, Grant T.; Bishell, Amy B.; Clausen, Carol A. Year: 2017 view abstract, download publication »
Publication Year: 2016

*Title:* Antitermitic Activities of Shisham (Dalbergia Sissoo Roxb.) Heartwood Extractives against two Termite Species *Source: Proceedings IRG Annual Meeting (ISSN 2000-8953), IRG/WP 16-10856, THE INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROUP ON WOOD PROTECTION Author(s)* Hassan, Barbar; Mankowski, Mark ; Kirker, Grant T.; Ahmed, Sohail; ul Haq, Muhammad Misbah Year: 2016 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Avast Ye Salty Dogs: Salt damage in the context of coastal residential construction and historical maritime timbers *Source: 2016 Proceedings of the American Wood Protection Association. American Wood Protection Association: 179-185. Author(s)* Kirker, Grant T.; Zelinka, Samuel L.; Passarini, Leandro Year: 2016 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Comprehensive overview of FPL field testing conducted in the tropics (1945-2005) *Source: 2016 Proceedings of the American Wood Protection Association. American Wood Protection Association: 210-217. Author(s)* Kirker, Grant T.; Lebow, Stan L.; Mankowski, Mark E., E. . Year: 2016 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Corrosion of metals in treated wood examined by synchrotron based xanes and XFM *Source: NACE International, Corrosion 2016 Conference & Expo. paper 7038. Author(s)* Zelinka, Samuel L.; Jakes, Joseph E.; Kirker, Grant T.; Passarini, Leandro; Lai, Barry Year: 2016 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Distribution and oxidation state of copper in the cell walls of treated wood examined by synchrotron based XANES and XFM *Source: Proceedings of CORROSION 2017. American Wood Protection Association: 172-178. Author(s)* Zelinka, Samuel L.; Kirker, Grant T.; Jakes, Joseph E.; Passarini, Leandro; Lai, Barry Year: 2016 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Dual protection of wood surface treated with melamine-modified urea-formaldehyde resin mixed with ammonium polyphosphate against both fire and decay *Source: Forest Products Journal, 66(5/6): 280–283 Author(s)* Ma, Xing-xia; Kirker, Grant T.; Jiang, Ming-liang; Wu, Yu-zhang Year: 2016 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Effect of Fungal Competition on Decay Rates in Bicultured Soil Bottle Assays *Source: Holzforschung Author(s)* Kirker, Grant T.; Blodgett, Amy; Lebow, Patricia K.; Clausen, Carol A. Year: 2016 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Evaluating decay resistance of mass timber *Source: fplrip-4723-026-MSU-Kirker-Ohno-Stokes. Author(s)* Kirker, Grant T.; Ohno, Katie; Stokes, C. Elizabeth Year: 2016 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Fungal decay hazard map *Source: fplrip-4723-022-UW-Kirker-Hickey Author(s)* Kirker, Grant T.; Hickey, W.J. Year: 2016 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* GC-MS Characterizations of Termiticidal Heartwood Extractives from Wood Species Utilized in Pakistan *Source: IRG Annual Meeting (ISSN 2000-8953) IRG/WP 16-10857, THE INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROUP ON WOOD PROTECTION, Section 1 Biology. Author(s)* Mankowski, Mark ; Boyd, Blossie; Hassan, Barbar; Kirker, Grant T. Year: 2016 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Laboratory evaluations of woods from Pakistan and their extractives against Postia placenta and Trametes versicolor *Source: Proceedings IRG Annual Meeting (ISSN 2000-8953), IRG/WP 16-10860 THE INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH GROUP ON WOOD PROTECTION, Section 1 Biology. Author(s)* Mankowski, Mark ; Hassan, Barbar; Blodgett, Amy; Kirker, Grant T. Year: 2016 view abstract, download publication »
Publication Year: 2015

*Title:* Fifty-Year Durability Evaluation of Posts Treated with Industrial Wood Preservatives *Source: Forest Products Journal Author(s)* Lebow, Stan T.; Lebow, Patricia; Woodward, Bessie; Kirker, Grant T.; Arango, Rachel Year: 2015 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Laboratory Evaluations of Durability of Southern Pine Pressure Treated With Extractives From Durable Wood Species *Source: Journal of Economic Entomology Author(s)* Kirker, Grant T.; Blodgett, Amy; Lebow, Patricia Year: 2015 view abstract, download publication »
Publication Year: 2014

*Title:* Chapter 4: Genetic Identification of Fungi Involved in Wood Decay *Source: In: Deterioration and Protection of Sustainable Biomaterials; Schultz, T., et al.; ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2014; pp. 81-91. Author(s)* Kirker, Grant Year: 2014 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Chapter 6: Above Ground Deterioration of Wood and Wood-Based Materials *Source: In Deterioration and Protection of Sustainable Biomaterials; Schultz, T., et al.; ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2014; pp. 114-129. Author(s)* Kirker, Grant; Winandy, Jerrold Year: 2014 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Microbial Community Analysis of Naturally Durable Wood in an Above Ground Field Test *Source: The International Research Group on Wood Protection, Section 1, Biology, IRG/WP 14-10826; 2014; pp. 2-13. Author(s)* Kirker, G.T.; Diehl, S.V.; Lebow, P.K. Year: 2014 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Principal Component Analysis of Microbial Community Data from an Accelerated Decay Cellar Test *Source: In: Proceedings of the American Wood Protection Association, Birmingham, AL. 2014; pp. 144-149. Author(s)* Kirker, Grant T.; Lebow, Patricia K. Year: 2014 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Rate My Stake: Interpretation of Ordinal Stake Ratings *Source: Proceedings of the One Hundred Eighth Annual Meeting of the American Wood Protection Association, Nashville, TN, April 29-May 2, 2012. Birmingham, AL. 108: 2014; pp 156-164. Author(s)* Lebow, Patricia; Kirker, Grant Year: 2014 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Wood Protection Research Council: Research Priorities 2013 *Source: USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, General Technical Report, FPL-GTR-232, 2014; 11 p. Author(s)* Clausen, Carol A; Green III, Frederick; Kirker, Grant T.; Lebow, Stan T. Year: 2014 view abstract, download publication »
Publication Year: 2013

*Title:* Evaluating Naturally Durable Wood Species for Repair and Rehabilitation of Above-Ground Components of Covered Bridges *Source: USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, General Technical Report, FPL-GTR-224, 2013; 43 p. Author(s)* Kirker, Grant T.; Clausen, Carol A.; Blodgett, A. B; Lebow, Stan T. Year: 2013 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Long-Term Durability of Pressure-Treated Wood in a Severe Test Site *Source: Advances in Civil Engineering Materials, Volume 2, Number 1, 2013; pp. 178–188. Author(s)* Lebow, Stan; Woodward, Bessie; Kirker, Grant; Lebow, Patricia Year: 2013 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* The role of extractives in naturally durable wood species *Source: Biodeterioration & Biodegradation , 82 (2013) pp. 53-58. Author(s)* Kirker, G.T.; Blodgett, A.B.; Arango, R.A.; Lebow, P.K.; Clausen, C.A. Year: 2013 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Transferable Durability: Enhancing decay resistance of non-durable species with extractives from durable wood species *Source: In: Proceedings IRG Annual Meeting,The International Research Group on wood Protection, Section 1, Biology; IRG/WP 13-10808; 2013. 12 p. Author(s)* Kirker, G.T.; Blodgett, A.B.; Lebow, S.; Clausen, C.A. Year: 2013 view abstract, download publication »
Publication Year: 2012

*Title:* Above Ground Field Evaluation and GC-MS Analysis of Naturally Durable Wood Species *Source: IRG/WP Author(s)* Kirker, G.T.; Blodgett, A.B.; Lebow, S.T.; Clausen, C.A. Year: 2012 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Community analysis of preservative-treated southern pine (Pinus spp.) using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis. Part 1: Fungal field study *Source: Holzforschung, Volume 66, pp. 521–527, 2012. Author(s)* Kirker, Grant T.; Prewitt, M. Lynn; Schultz, Tor P.; Dieh, Susan V. Year: 2012 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Community analysis of preservative-treated southern pine (Pinus spp.) using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis *Source: Holzforschung, Volume 66, pp. 529–535, 2012. Author(s)* Kirker, Grant T.; Prewitt, M. Lynn; Diehl, Walter J.; Diehl, Susan V. Year: 2012 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Guide for In-Place Treatment of Covered and Timber Bridges *Source: Forest Products Laboratory, General Technical Report Author(s)* Lebow, Stan; Kirker, Grant; White, Robert; Amburgey, Terry; Barnes, H. Michael; Sanders, Michael; Morrell, Jeff Year: 2012 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Relationship between wood-inhabiting fungi and Reticulitermes spp *Source: International Biodeterioraton & Biodegradation, Volume 72, 2012; pp. 18-25. Author(s)* Kirker, Grant T.; Wagner, Terence; Diehl, Susan Year: 2012 view abstract, download publication »
Publication Year: 2011

*Title:* Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of extractives of naturally durable wood *Source: Proceedings, one hundred seventh annual meeting of the American Wood Protection Association ... Fort Lauderdale, Florida, May 15-17, 2011: Volume 107. Birmingham, Ala. : American Wood Protection Association, c2011: p. 41-44. Author(s)* Kirker, G.T.; Blodgett, A.B.; Lebow, S.T.; Clausen, C.A. Year: 2011 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Physical Deterioration of Preservative Treated Poles and Pilings Exposed to Salt Water *Source: USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, General Technical Report, FPL-GTR-203, 2011 Author(s)* Grant T. Kirker; Jessie Glaeser; Stan T. Lebow; Frederick Green III; Carol A. Clausen Year: 2011 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Salt Damage To Wood, 'Fuzzy Wood' Often Confused with Fungal Decay *Source: USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Techlines, 2011 Author(s)* Kirker, Grant; Glaeser, Jessie; Year: 2011 view abstract, download publication »
*Title:* Salt Damage to Wood--"Fuzzy Wood" Often Confused with Fungal Decay *Source: PileDriver Author(s)* Kirker, Grant; Glaeser, Jessie Year: 2011 view abstract, download publication »
Publication Year: 2010

*Title:* The Usual Suspects: Fingerprinting Microbial Communities Involved in Decay of Treated Southern Yellow Pine *Source: In: Proceedings of the 106 annual meeting of the American Wood Protection Association, Hyatt Regency Riverfront, Savannah, Georgia May 23-25, 2010, Volume 106, pp. 127-133; 2010 Author(s)* Kirker, Grant T.; Diehl, Susan V.; Prewitt, M. Lynn Year: 2010 view abstract, download publication »


*Publication Year: 2012*
Highlight ID: 7	Natural Wood Durability Studied to Estimate Wood's Performance Naturally occurring chemicals in some wood species make them more durable against deterioration ...

Title	Date Posted
Time in a Bottle: The simple soil bottle presents an extremely useful tool for predicting performance of preservative treated, modified or naturally durable woods. The methodology was developed in the 1940s exclusively for evaluating wood preservatives against wood decay fungi. It has been adapted over several decade...	06-07-2017

Durability Dilemma: It is truly impossible to divide the wealth and richness of America’s forest resources into two categories, but when evaluated in terms of natural durability, two distinct camps emerge: trees which yield naturally durable wood, and those that don’t. Naturally durable trees tend to produce their ...	06-03-2015

Wood Preservatives: A new report has just been published: Wood Protection Research Council, Research Priorities 2013	09-11-2014

Looking into the Future of Wood Preservation Carol Clausen and her group are serious about wood as a sustainable and versatile building material. Here Amy Blodgett, Rachel Arango, and Bessie Woodword check soil block samples in their ongoing research...	07-29-2014