Agarwood is unlike any other wood, it holds within it an enigma that even time struggles to define. Agarwood does not form growth rings, making it impossible to determine its exact age. Cultivated agarwood, grown under controlled conditions, can be dated by the farmers who plant and nurture it. But in the untamed depths of ancient forests, wild agarwood follows no timeline. Even the most experienced harvesters can only mark the moment of discovery, never the true duration of its existence.
The formation of agarwood is a slow and intricate process. The richer the resin content, the longer the aging period. This resin, which is the soul of agarwood, is the tree’s response to wounds and environmental stressors, a defense mechanism that ultimately transforms it into one of the world’s most precious natural treasures. Some of the largest, most resinous agarwood pieces are believed to have formed at the cost of the tree’s life itself, making them relics of both resilience and sacrifice.
This is what makes wild agarwood so extraordinary because it is not merely wood, but a timeworn testament to nature's artistry, an irreplaceable resource that cannot be replicated or renewed.
So, if someone asks, "How many years old is this piece of wild agarwood?"
The answer is as elusive as time itself.
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