Compartmentalization

Described by Dr. Alex Shigo's CODIT model (Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees), this process involves four "walls" of defense. Wall 1 resists vertical spread via plugging vessels above and below the wound. Wall 2 limits inward spread through annual ring boundaries. Wall 3 blocks lateral spread via ray cells. Wall 4 (the strongest) is the barrier zone of new wood formed after wounding.