How Agarwood Forms: Injury, Fungi and Time

What is agarwood

Agarwood is a fragrant resin-impregnated heartwood formed by Aquilaria trees after physical wounding, boring or fungal infection triggers a defensive response, secreting resins that mature over years. An unharmed tree yields only pale "white wood" with no scent.

Three factors of resin formation

• Wounding: breaks, lightning, borers or cuts start the process.
• Fungi: microbes invade the wound and induce sesquiterpene and chromone defences.
• Time: maturation takes years to decades; longer ageing gives rounder aroma.