Figure 103

Reference is made again to size relationships because as large as trees are, the decomposition processes are developing at the microscopic level with the organisms and the tree cells.

A large fresh basal wound on a mature sugar maple. (fig.103)

The bark has been torn and the wood is injured deep into the trunk. (fig 104)

The crushed wood at the surface of the wound contains debris and broken pieces of mosses, lichens, and other plants. Small droplets of moisture begin to ooze from the tree. (The red block shows the section magnified in the next painting.)(fig. 105)

Figure 104

Figure 105

Each minute droplet of moisture is like an enormous ocean to the microorganisms. each minute crack is like several grand canyons in width to the microorganisms. (fig. 106)

The minute droplets, too small to be seen by the human eye, are sites for groups of microorganisms to begin growth on the wound. Each droplet is a storehouse of nutrients. The microscopic wood splinters are excellent places for propagules of microorganisms brought in by wind, rain, and insects. The broken tangential faces of the ray sheets begin to show. The broken and crushed ray cells make INFECTION easy for the microorganisms. (fig. 107)

Figure 106

Figure 107

Figure 108

The minute droplets now appear as gigantic globes. After several weeks, many bacteria and fungi begin to grow into the broken wood cells-this is infection. Here a vessel is being infected by nonhymenomycetous fungi and groups of rod-shaped bacteria. some fungi are also growing into the broken wood cells. Competition for this new space and for the abundance of nutrients is intense. The tree exerts little or no protective force here because the cells have been injured severely or killed by the wound. (fig.108)

The torn wood, debris, and droplets of moisture and resin become visible at this magnification. (fig. 111)	Here, the droplets act as prisms that reflect the light like minute rainbows. the minute wood splinters now appear as gigantic spears coated with multicolored resin. (fig. 112)
Figure 111	Figure 112

Droplets and torn wood not visible to the human eye now become visible. This is the view small insects have of the wound. (fig.113)	Here, the tangential ends of the rays begin to show. The minute splinters appear as gigantic branches that trap the minute droplets of moisture and resin. Each droplet supports many colonies of competing microorganisms. (fig. 114)
Figure 113	Figure 114