A tree seals itself instead of healing itself.

A tree seals itself instead of healing itself.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. It sometimes seals and sometimes heals
• D. Not applicable

Answer: (A)

When a tree is wounded, its first and most reliable response is to seal off the damaged area to prevent infection and water loss, rather than instantly restoring the exact original tissue. This sealing involves forming protective barriers—callus tissue from the cambium, new bark growth, and deposits of suberin, lignin, or resins—that compartmentalize the wound. Over time, the tree may cover the wound with new protective tissue, but the immediate repair is mainly about containment and isolation, not perfect tissue restoration. This sealing/compartmentalization strategy is why the statement is true: the tree’s natural tendency is to seal itself to stop the spread of damage rather than heal in the sense of fully recreating the original structure right away.

When a tree is wounded, its first and most reliable response is to seal off the damaged area to prevent infection and water loss, rather than instantly restoring the exact original tissue. This sealing involves forming protective barriers—callus tissue from the cambium, new bark growth, and deposits of suberin, lignin, or resins—that compartmentalize the wound. Over time, the tree may cover the wound with new protective tissue, but the immediate repair is mainly about containment and isolation, not perfect tissue restoration. This sealing/compartmentalization strategy is why the statement is true: the tree’s natural tendency is to seal itself to stop the spread of damage rather than heal in the sense of fully recreating the original structure right away.