Controlled release, wood preserving composition with low-volatile organic content for treatment in-service utility poles, posts, pilings, cross-ties and other wooden structures

A method of delivering a fungitoxic amount of copper ion to an interior portion of a wooden product comprising the steps of:

• applying an aqueous wood preservative paste composition comprising a dispersion of solid particles of a substantially insoluble copper compound in an amount of about 0.001% to about 10% by weight of the composition;
• a boron-containing compound;
• an aqueous carrier;
• and a thickening agent, wherein the paste composition has a viscosity of between 125 and 425 tenths of a millimeter (tmm) as measured using a penetrometer
• wherein at least 20% of the particles of the paste composition comprise particles having particle size greater than 25 microns;
• and
• wherein applying said aqueous wood preservative composition to said wooden structure produces penetration of copper ions into an interior portion of the wooden structure to a fungicidally effective level.