Wetwood also forms in response to wounding or infection .

Wetwood is often the normal condition of heartwood of mature trees in species in which it occurs .

However, when it develops into slime flux (which generally occurs in only a limited number of species), it could certainly be argued that the bacteria are causing more damage than benefit, and slime flux can properly be called a disease. Two experiments showed that wetwood formed under conditions in which bacteria could not exist. Symptoms: No external symptoms, and internal evidence is normal.Ĭausation: There has never been a demonstration via Koch’s postulates that bacteria cause wetwood. Therefore, we can’t say anything is malfunctioning or abnormal. In fact, when bacteria grow in the wetwood, it provides a benefit (decay inhibition). Malfunctioning, Normal: In most species where it occurs, wetwood is the normal condition of the heartwood, and does no harm. Let’s first consider wetwood in the absence of slime flux (see below for supporting references). Any deviation in the normal functioning of a plant caused by some type of persistent agent .Any malfunctioning of host cells and tissues that results from continuous irritation by a pathogenic agent or environmental factor and leads to development of symptoms .Is it a disease? Let’s briefly review two common definitions of tree disease. The disease concept was reinforced by the fact that, in some cases, wetwood is associated with damage to the tree (slime flux see The Bad below). All wetwood contains bacteria, so there is no distinction to be made. It is sometimes called “bacterial wetwood”, as if to distinguish it from nonbacterial wetwood. This is primarily because bacteria are found within it. also may form in response to wounding in sapwoodĪlthough causation was never demonstrated, wetwood was traditionally considered a tree disease caused by bacteria .hardwoods: elms, poplars, birches, oaks.occupies the heartwood of some tree species on a normal basis:.is somewhat darker in color than surrounding wood.is non-conducting but has a high moisture content and appears watersoaked.Wetwood can be defined as wood in living trees that:

A young Abies concolor (white fir) with wetwood occupying the heartwood.

Clematis slime flux