Which characteristic is commonly associated with wood affected by white rot?

Wood affected by white rot is particularly notable for its unique characteristics, one of which is that it does not crack across the grain. This is primarily due to the way white rot fungi decompose the lignin in the wood, which alters the wood's cell structure and mechanical properties. As the fungal decay progresses, the wood loses its structural integrity, but it tends to remain pliable and less prone to cracking in the grain direction. This feature distinguishes it from wood affected by other forms of rot that may exhibit more pronounced cracking.

In contrast, excessive shrinkage is often more associated with wood that has been dried improperly or that has experienced certain types of decay. The classification of wood affected by other types of rot may present with cracking, particularly across the grain. The capacity of decayed wood to be crushed into a powder is more characteristic of certain types of deterioration resulting from brown rot rather than white rot. The dark brown appearance is also typically associated with brown rot, which gives a different visual cue compared to the lighter, often bleached appearance of wood affected by white rot.