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Ability to compartmentalize decay differs among trees

Trees have genetic capacity to build chemical boundaries around infection. Some trees have a high capacity to build these systems and others do not. Trees that are not able to build effective boundaries decay rapidly following injury. Trees that can build effect barriers do not decay as readily. The list below indicates relative ability to retard decay. Individuals within the genera or species may be more or less susceptible than indicated.

Trees that compartmentalize decay poorly	Trees that compartmentalize decay well
Aesculus Acer rubrum (may be intermediate) Acer sacharinum Bauhinia Betula Brachychiton Celtis Cercis Delonix Eucalyptus Erythrina Fagus Ficus Magnolia grandiflora Malus Myrica Peltophorum Persea Pinus virginiana Populus Prunus Quercus laurifolia Q. nigra Q. leavis Q. shumardii Q. palustris (may be intermediate) Salix Schinus	Acacia Acer saccharum Albezia saman Bucida buserus Bursera simaruba Castania sativa Carpinus Gleditsia Juglans Lagerstroemia Lysiloma Pinus rigida Quercus geminata Q. macrocarpa Q. petrea Q. robur Q. rubra (regarded as poor by some) Q. virginiana Robinia pseudoacaia Taxus baccata Tilia (regarded as poor by some) Sweitenia Tabebuia Ulmus americana Ulmus alata Ulmus parviflora

Based on: Lonsdale, 1999; Dujesiefken, 1991; conversations with arborists and personal observation.

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