Agarwood tree inoculation - Video

These individuals are about to insert a hot metal rod into a perfectly healthy tree. This tree is known as an Aquilaria tree, and the process they're performing is called tree inoculation. They begin by making small openings in the trunk using a hot rod or sometimes a drill. Through these openings, the tree is intentionally infected with a specific fungus. Over time, the tree reacts by producing a dark resin as a natural defense mechanism. This resin gradually transforms the inner wood into an extremely rare substance called agarwood. Agarwood is highly valuable, often worth as much as gold, because it is used in high-end perfumes and traditional medicine.