9.2 Core sampling & aroma testing

Core Sampling & Aroma Testing in Agarwood – Assessing Resin Development Without Damaging Trees

Monitoring resin quality is essential for timing late-stage induction or harvest. Core sampling combined with aroma testing provides objective, field-friendly indicators of resin maturity.

1. Core Sampling Overview

Purpose:

  • Assess resin presence, density, and maturity inside the wood
  • Guide late-stage induction (ResinRush™ / FusaBlaze™) or harvest decisions

Tools Needed:

  • Increment borer or small drill bit
  • Sterile knife or spatula
  • Sample container (clean, labeled)

Procedure:

  1. Identify inoculation points or suspected resin-rich zones
  2. Drill a small core (~5–10 mm diameter) without compromising tree stability
  3. Extract core and inspect for:
    • Resin streaks and density
    • Color changes (amber → dark brown → black)
    • Moisture content

Notes:

  • Limit core size to prevent tree stress
  • Sterilize tools to avoid contamination

2. Aroma Testing Overview

Purpose:

  • Detect resin maturation and aromatic complexity
  • Field-friendly and rapid assessment

Procedure:

  1. Smell the core sample directly
  2. Look for key scent profiles:
    • Early resin: faint sweet/woody aroma
    • Mid-phase: woody, balsamic, slightly spicy
    • Mature resin: rich, multi-layered aroma (sweet, woody, balsamic, slightly spicy)
  3. Optionally, lightly warm the sample (e.g., small flame or sunlight) to enhance aroma volatilization

Tip for Farmers:

Aroma intensity often precedes visual cues of resin maturity.

3. Combining Core Sampling & Aroma Testing

  • Core sampling reveals resin density and structure
  • Aroma testing reveals chemical maturity and essential oil content
  • Together, they help determine:
    • Readiness for late-stage induction
    • Optimal harvest timing
    • Effectiveness of previous induction phases

4. Safety & Tree Health Considerations

  • Use small, minimally invasive cores
  • Limit number of cores per tree (DBH-based spacing)
  • Sterilize tools to prevent fungal contamination
  • Avoid cores in heavily stressed or weak trees

5. Farmer-Friendly Summary

  1. Core Sampling: Small drill cores to visually check resin density and color
  2. Aroma Testing: Smell resin to gauge chemical maturity and aroma complexity
  3. Use Both Together: Provides the most accurate assessment for late-stage induction or harvest

Analogy:

Think of it like tasting a cake before frosting: the inside (resin density) and aroma (chemical maturity) tell you if it’s ready for the next step.

6. BarIno™ Principle

Core sampling and aroma testing allow controlled, evidence-based decisions for densification and harvesting.
Using these methods ensures optimal resin density, aroma, and tree health, maximizing long-term yield and quality.