This is a photo of the trunk of a cherry tree
exuding modern day resin that one day might become amber.
Resin producing trees are thought to use
their resin for a variety of purposes including protection from
both external and internal insect infestations;
to fill in internal cracks in the trunk and external wounds when
the bark is taken off. The resin is analogous to blood, in that
is acts as sort of a "clot" to protect against exposing
its sensitive tissues to disease, insect attack, and the elements
of nature.