I often see it in the garden: Trees that lose resin from holes on all sides: a viscous solidified and strong-smelling brown mass. I know that this is an important product in all kinds of products such as paint, varnish,…, but what is the biological function of this ‘excretion’ from the tree? Wound healing? Attract/repel insects?
Answer
Dear Koen,
you already gave the answer yourself. Resin probably has a wound-covering function. Covering a wound with resin will reduce the risk of infection by, for example, fungi.
However, it has nothing to do with attracting or repelling insects. It is true that all kinds of small animals can get stuck in the resin. The resin will solidify and can sometimes fossilize into amber or amber.
Answered by
Dr. Gert Ausloos
Biology, botany
Nieuwelaan 38 1860 Meise
http://www.plantentuinmeise.be
.