Correct drilling is critical for high-quality resin. Improper holes can kill the tree or produce low-quality agarwood.
1. Hole Depth
- Recommended: 2–3 cm for small trunks / branches
- Purpose:
- Deep enough to reach healthy wood for resin induction
- Shallow enough to avoid killing the tree
- Tip: For larger trees (>15 cm diameter), holes can be slightly deeper, but never more than 1/4 of trunk diameter
2. Hole Spacing
- Recommended: 10–15 cm apart vertically and horizontally
- Purpose:
- Prevents vascular blockage
- Allows resin zones to form individually
- Spacing too close → tree stress, leaf drop, or death
- Spacing too wide → less efficient resin formation
3. Hole Orientation
- Farmer-Friendly Guidelines:
- Drill holes at a slight upward angle (~30°) for liquid/elicitor flow
- Avoid drilling straight horizontally across the trunk
- Keep holes on alternate sides of the trunk for even resin formation
- Tip: Avoid drilling all holes on one side — this may weaken the tree
4. Summary Table
| Parameter | Recommendation | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Depth | 2–3 cm (or ≤1/4 trunk diameter) | Reach healthy wood without killing tree |
| Spacing | 10–15 cm apart | Prevents vascular blockage, allows resin zones |
| Orientation | Upward angle (~30°), alternate sides | Better flow of elicitors, safer tree survival |
Farmer Tips
✔ Use clean, sharp drills to prevent unwanted infection
✔ Avoid young or weak trees (<5 years)
✔ Combine drilling with microbial inoculation or chemical elicitors
✔ Monitor tree health after 1–2 weeks
Farmer Key Message
“Correct depth, spacing, and angle let the tree defend itself safely — and produce premium resin.”