What are cankers?

Cankers are defined as irregular areas of damaged tissue that typically develop on the trunks and stems of woody plants and trees. These lesions are often caused by various factors, including environmental stress, pathogens such as fungi and bacteria, or physical injury. The damaged tissue can compromise the plant's structural integrity and overall health, potentially leading to further issues such as the spread of pathogens and weakness in the plant.

Understanding cankers is crucial for effective plant care, as identifying these issues early can help in managing and treating the underlying causes. Unlike new growths, which indicate healthy development in a plant, and healthy cell clusters, which contribute to normal function, cankers are a sign of stress or damage that require attention to ensure the plant's survival. While some fungal infections can lead to the formation of cankers, the term specifically refers to the visible damaged tissue rather than the underlying cause or type of organism involved.