True or False: Feeding on trees makes them less susceptible to other diseases?

Feeding on trees by pests generally weakens the trees and can make them more susceptible to other diseases and environmental stressors. When pests such as insects or pathogens invade and feed on trees, they often damage the tree's structure, disrupt its nutrient and water transport systems, and create wounds that can serve as entry points for additional microorganisms, including fungi and bacteria. This damage compromises the tree's overall health, making it less capable of defending itself against other threats.

Healthy trees have stronger defenses against diseases, which are further undermined when they are subjected to pest pressures. Consequently, the idea that feeding makes trees less susceptible to diseases is fundamentally inaccurate, as the presence of pests often increases vulnerability rather than decreases it.