The freshly cut Rubberwood is extremely vulnerable to attack by fungi and insects and the wood can be ruined within a few days if precautions are not taken to protect it against insects and fungi. The freshly cut Rubberwood is also very prone to brownish staining caused by enzymatic oxidation, and the staining reduces the value of the timber in applications where the whitish-yellow colour of the freshly cut Rubberwood is desirable. Not only the freshly sawn Rubberwood is prone to degradation, the kiln-dried Rubberwood is also very susceptible to attack by beetles. Rubberwood differs in this respect from most other timber species and requires chemical protection even when it is used for the production of furniture. The methods used for impregnation and drying of Rubberwood have a significant influence on the final colour of the Rubberwood, and a number of systems have been introduced during the last years to protect and preserve the original colour of the freshly cut Rubberwood. There is also a growing interest in ensuring that the chemicals used for the protection of Rubberwood are as harmless as possible to both humans and the environment.