Which of the following statements is NOT true about wood-staining fungi?

The assertion that wood-staining fungi are primarily associated with hardwood species is not accurate. Wood-staining fungi can affect both hardwood and softwood species, which means they are not exclusive to hardwoods. They are often found in both types of wood, and their presence is determined more by environmental conditions than the type of wood.

Wood-staining fungi commonly cause discoloration, but they do not necessarily cause as much structural damage as other types of fungi like decay fungi, which directly compromise the wood’s integrity. Because of their aesthetic effects, all types of wood can be affected, and thus they impact the desirability of both hardwoods and softwoods equally.

The other statements are true; for example, wood-staining fungi indeed reduce the value of lumber due to their effects on appearance, and they are known to produce a bluish discoloration in the wood, which can be identified by the characteristic threadlike structures observed in infested wood.