Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Why are the tissues between wood and bark especially vulnerable to insects after a tree is felled?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
wood
Temperate softwoods (left column) and hardwoods (right column), selected to highlight natural variations in colour and figure: (A) Douglas fir, (B) sugar pine, (C) redwood, (D) white oak, (E) American sycamore, and (F) black cherry. Each image shows (from left to right) transverse, radial, and tangential surfaces. Click on an individual image for an enlarged view.
The region between the wood and the bark is especially vulnerable to insects after a tree is felled because it is rich in nutrients. This area contains the secondary phloem, which is responsible for conveying food from the leaves to the rest of the plant.12
Because this layer is highly nutritious, it serves as an attractive site for insects to bore into and colonize once the tree's natural defenses are compromised by felling. To protect the timber from such infestations, prompt debarking is recommended as a standard protective measure.1