What Is Mechanical Wounding?
Mechanical wounding means physically damaging the tree on purpose to start resin formation.
It copies what happens in nature when:
- branches break
- insects bore holes
- storms damage the trunk
It is the first step in resin induction.
Purpose of Mechanical Wounding
Mechanical wounding is done to:
- Open the bark and wood
- Allow air and microbes to enter
- Trigger the tree’s wound response
Wounding alone usually gives weak resin unless combined with other methods.
Common Mechanical Wounding Methods
A. Drilling (Most Common)
- Small holes drilled into the trunk
Basic Farmer Guide:
- Hole depth: 2–3 cm
- Hole diameter: 5–8 mm
- Spacing: 10–15 cm apart
- Height: 30–150 cm from ground
B. Nailing
- Iron nails hammered into the trunk
- Creates rust and irritation over time
Hard to control and may damage tools during harvest.
C. Bark Stripping / Cutting
- Small bark sections removed
High risk of infection and tree death if overdone.
Good vs Bad Wounding
| Practice | Result |
|---|---|
| Few, well-spaced holes | Tree survives, resin forms |
| Too many holes | Tree weakens |
| Deep drilling | Vascular damage |
| Proper spacing | Controlled resin zones |
What Happens Inside the Tree
- Wood is injured
- Tree tries to heal (wound response)
- Defense signals are released
- If stress continues, resin forms
Wound starts the process, but does not finish it.
Farmer Key Message
“Wounding opens the door.
Defense makes the resin.”
Best Practice for Farmers
✔ Always start with healthy trees
✔ Use clean tools
✔ Combine with microbial or mineral induction
✔ Observe the tree after wounding
Common Farmer Mistakes
✘ Over-drilling
✘ Inducing very young trees
✘ Wounding all sides at once
✘ Expecting instant resin