Controlled release, wood preserving composition with low-volatile organic content for treating 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:

• applying an aqueous wood preservative paste composition comprising a dispersion of solid particles of a substantially insoluble copper compound in an amount of 0.001% to 10% by weight of the paste composition;
• a boron-containing compound, a fluoride-containing compound, or a combination thereof;
• and an aqueous carrier,
• 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 30% of the particles of the paste composition comprise particles having particle size greater than 25 microns;
• and
• wherein applying the paste composition to the wooden structure produces penetration of copper ions into an interior portion of the wooden structure to a fungicidally effective level.