Discussion: Response of bark tissues to injury and infection

Abstract

Research of nonspecific defense processes in woody plants has focused on xylem. From these studies the concept of compartmentalization sensu Shigo was developed. Responses of bark to injury and infection, however, are understood poorly. This discussion summarizes evidence for the occurrence of processes similar in function to xylem compartmentalization in bark. We suggest that a developmental approach to research on woody plant responses to injury and infection could result in conceptual unity regarding structural and functional changes in both xylem and bark.