2.1 Lightning, Insects, and Wind Damage

Lightning (Sudden Extreme Stress)

What Happens

  • Lightning strikes the tree
  • Causes:
    • Deep internal cracking
    • Instant heat shock
    • Severe oxidative stress

Tree Reaction

  • Massive injury inside the trunk
  • Vascular tissues are destroyed in sections
  • Tree activates maximum defense mode

Resin Result

✔ Deep resin formation
✔ Large resin zones
✔ Very slow but high-quality agarwood

Rare but powerful — this is why wild agarwood is extremely valuable.

Insects (Living Entry Points)

What Happens

  • Borers, beetles, ants, or termites:
    • Drill into bark and wood
    • Carry fungi and bacteria

Tree Reaction

  • Continuous irritation
  • Repeated immune response
  • Long-term microbial presence

Resin Result

✔ Layer-by-layer resin build-up
✔ Strong aroma over time
✔ Patchy but deep resin zones

Insects don’t just wound — they infect.

Wind Damage (Slow Mechanical Stress)

What Happens

  • Strong winds:
    • Break branches
    • Crack trunks
    • Tear bark

Tree Reaction

  • Repeated physical injury
  • Exposure to air, rain, and microbes
  • Wound response followed by immune response

Resin Result

✔ Gradual resin formation
✔ Often lighter but widespread resin
✔ Takes many years

Why These Natural Triggers Work

All three cause:

  • Physical damage (wound response)
  • Long-term stress
  • Microbial entry
  • Oxidative stress

Together, they keep the tree’s defense system active.

Simple Comparison Table

TriggerType of StressResin SpeedResin Quality
LightningExtreme, suddenVery slowVery high
InsectsContinuous, biologicalSlowHigh
WindRepeated, physicalVery slowMedium–High

Farmer Key Message

“Nature creates agarwood through injury and time.
Induction copies nature — but with control.”

Practical Lesson for Farmers

✔ Create controlled injury (not destruction)
✔ Allow microbial interaction (not rot)
✔ Give time for resin to mature