What Is Natural Microbial Invasion?
Natural microbial invasion happens when:
- Fungi or bacteria enter the tree naturally
- Through wounds caused by:
- insects
- broken branches
- wind cracks
- lightning scars
These microbes are not planted by humans — they are already in the forest.
Why Microbes Are So Important for Agarwood
Microbes do something wounds alone cannot:
They keep the tree’s immune system turned ON.
Without microbes:
- The tree heals quickly
- Resin production stops
With microbes:
- The tree stays in defense mode
- Resin continues to form and spread
What Types of Microbes Enter Naturally?
Common Natural Invaders
- Fungi (most important)
- Some bacteria
- Endophytes (microbes already living inside the tree)
These microbes:
- Feed on damaged wood
- Release enzymes
- Trigger chemical alarms inside the tree
What Happens Inside the Tree (Simple Flow)
- Wound opens
- Microbes enter
- Tree senses infection
- Immune response activates
- Resin is produced
- Resin tries to block and kill microbes
This battle creates agarwood.
Why Resin Smells Good
The smell comes from:
- Defense chemicals made by the tree
- Changed and intensified by microbial activity
Fragrance is a by-product of survival.
Why Natural Agarwood Takes So Long
- Microbial invasion is slow
- Tree balances survival and growth
- Resin polymerizes over many years
This is why wild agarwood can take:
20–50 years to fully develop.
Farmer Key Message
“Agarwood is born from a long fight between tree and microbe.”
Lesson for Artificial Induction
Successful induction copies nature by:
✔ Creating a controlled wound
✔ Introducing safe microbes
✔ Allowing time for defense to work