decomposition of oak wood samples exposed to selected fungi under laboratory conditions. The most common decay category in the logs and stumps was 1, and it remained that way during the whole study. Xylobolus subpileatus, Hymenochaete rubiginosa, and Trametes versicolor were selected for the decay studies. Twenty-five decay chambers with oak wood samples were inoculated with each fungus. After 4 or 8 months of exposure, wood samples were removed to determine weight loss. Considerable variation was observed in weight loss (2.08-51.06%), depending on the fungi selected. In light of our results, the duration of the oak decay process in these neotropical montane forests is discussed, as well as its carbon contribution to the ecosystem.