1. Why Track Resin
- Resin quantity determines harvest yield and profitability
- Chemical profile determines aroma quality and oil grade
- Helps assess inoculation success (BarIno system)
- Guides timing for harvest or follow-up inoculation
2. Tracking Resin Quantity
A. Visual Observation
- Look for darkening around inoculation points
- Small resin exudates or droplets on trunk indicate active resin formation
- Track number and size of resin zones over time
B. Physical Sampling
- Non-destructive scraping or drilling around inoculation points
- Weigh small chips or shavings to estimate resin accumulation per tree
- Record date, tree ID, inoculant type, and weight
C. Tree Scoring System
- Simple scoring (1–5) for resin coverage:
| Score | Resin Formation |
|---|---|
| 5 | Large, dense veins around all inoculation points |
| 4 | Moderate veins, multiple points active |
| 3 | Small veins, limited points |
| 2 | Minimal resin, single point |
| 1 | No resin visible |
3. Tracking Chemical Profile
A. Purpose
- Determines aroma complexity (sesquiterpenes, chromones)
- Guides grading for oud oil quality
B. Methods
- Field-level indicators (farmer-friendly)
- Darker wood → higher resin concentration
- Rich smell when scraping → aromatic compounds developing
- Compare samples to known reference trees
- Laboratory-level analysis
- GC-MS (Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry)
- Identifies specific sesquiterpenes and chromones
- Confirms oil-grade quality
- Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) or NIR for preliminary screening
- GC-MS (Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry)
4. Sampling Best Practices
- Take small, representative chips from different inoculation points
- Avoid weakening the tree; do not over-sample
- Label samples: Tree ID, inoculation type, date, location
5. Monitoring Schedule
- Weekly visual checks for resin exudation
- Monthly chip sampling for weight/quantity
- Every 3–6 months for chemical analysis in labs (optional, if targeting premium oil)
6. Farmer-Friendly Summary
“Track how much resin forms and how aromatic it smells. Small chips tell the story: darker, aromatic resin means better yield and oil quality.”