What is a significant challenge faced by wooden sculptures compared to stone sculptures?

Wooden sculptures face significant challenges primarily due to their susceptibility to decay from insects and fire. Unlike stone, which is a durable and more stable medium, wood is an organic material that can deteriorate over time. Insects, such as termites and woodworms, can inflict extensive damage, compromising the structural integrity of the sculpture. Additionally, wood is flammable, posing a risk of destruction through fire. This contrasts sharply with stone, which, while harder to work with and more labor-intensive to carve, generally withstands environmental factors much better and has a much longer lifespan.

Furthermore, while some might argue that finding suitable wood can be a challenge, this is often not as significant as the ongoing threats that decay and fire present to wooden works. Also, wood is certainly a material that can be carved, making that option not relevant in the context of comparing these two media. The structural vulnerabilities of wood are a primary reason why wooden sculptures require more care and preservation efforts than their stone counterparts.