Forestry

Forest Health Protection

Invasive Species

Logtatum

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Forest Health Protection
Decay - 1998-1 Jane Cummings Carlson

CODIT - Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees
A natural process that is initiated after a tree is wounded. Compartmentalization is a boundary-setting process that limits the spread of discoloration and decay within a tree.
 
HEARTWOOD DISCOLORED WOOD
Initiated by aging Initiated by wounds; sometimes death of large branches.
Influenced by genetics Influenced by wound severity, microorganisms. Vigor?
Proceeds centrifugally Proceeds centripetally
New tissue affected yearly Tissue formed after wounding is rarely affected
Oldest tissue affected first Youngest tissue affected first
Continuous In columns
Throughout tree Varies
Mineral content lower Mineral content (K, Ca) higher
Usually circular in X-section Any configuration
Microorganisms not necessarily involved Microorganisms involved

GENERA WITH NATURALLY-COLORED HEARTWOOD Cherry, Oak, Walnut

GENERA WITH NATURALLY-WHITE WOOD THROUGHOUT Ash, Aspen, Basswood, Beech, Birch, Maple

  • Discoloration in trees with naturally-white wood throughout is initiated by wounding and sometimes by the death of large branches.
  • Discoloration and decay DO NOT move at will throughout a tree as it ages but are compartmentalized and limited to tissue present at the time of wounding.
  • Wounding exposes wood to air, moisture, bacteria and fungi.
  • Discoloration can be caused by bacteria oxidizing phenolic compounds, and by fungi.
  • There is no proven link between soil chemistry and the size and color of columns of discolored wood.
  • There is a well established link between discolored wood and wounding.

This column of discoloration in sugar maple was initiated by the death of the low, large branch. It joins with another column, higher in the tree, that was initiated by death of another large branch. The wood formed after the branches died remains free from discoloration.

Photo from: Shigo, A.L., & E. Larson. 1969 A photographic guide to the patterns of discoloration and decay in living northern hardwood trees.

Last Revised: Monday July 30 2007