Trees are able to respond actively to infection Peter Amend/Connect Images/Alamy
Why don’t trees rot in the ground, while wooden structures do if they aren’t built properly?
Chris Daniel
Colwyn Bay, Conwy, UK
Trees are living organisms that can respond actively to infection, whereas timber products must be treated chemically to make them resistant to rotting.
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Not having immune systems, trees have evolved ways to beat infections by means of chemical and mechanical barriers
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Living trees can become infected by bacteria, or viruses due to physical injury or damage, but, not having immune systems to neutralise infections, they…
