Resin canal

Resin canals or resin ducts are elongated, tube-shaped intercellular spaces surrounded by epithelial cells which secrete resin into the canal. These canals are orientated longitudinally and radially in between fusiform rays. They are usually found in late wood, or denser wood grown later in the season. Resin is antiseptic and aromatic and prevents the development of fungi and deters insects.

Types

Normal resin canals exist naturally in the wood of the genera Picea, Larix, Pinus and Pseudotsuga in the Softwoods, and also Shorea in the Hardwoods.
Traumatic, irregularly-shaped resin canals may be formed in wounded trees that do not have normal resin canals. Wounding occurs by fire, freezing or mechanical damage.
Characteristics

Resin canal characteristics in pine species can determine its resistance to pests. In one study, biologists were able to categorize 84% of lodgepole pine, and 92% of limber pines, as being either susceptible or resistant to bark beetles based only on their resin canals and growth rate over 20 years. In another study, scientists found ponderosa pine trees that survived drought and bark beetle attacks had resin ducts that were >10% larger in diameter, >25% denser, and composed >50% more area of per ring.

Resin canal

Types

Characteristics