Tree leaves emit biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) in response to mechanical wounding by insect folivores. However, BVOCs are also released from leaves in response to damage to other tree organs. In this study, we hypothesized that if trees utilize BVOCs to defend against leaf herbivory, BVOCs emitted in response to leaf wounding would be different from those emitted in response to other types of mechanical damage. To test this hypothesis, we measured BVOCs emitted from the leaves of four Ficus species in response to leaf-cutting, branch-cutting, leaf-branch-cutting, and control (constitutive BVOCs). We found that leaf-cutting triggered the emission of BVOCs, but their emission patterns were species-specific, and the overall BVOC composition did not significantly differ from that of constitutive BVOCs. In contrast, branch-cutting triggered the emission of many BVOCs, some known as parasitoid attractants and herbivore deterrents. Our study suggests that plant defense mediated by BVOCs is highly species-specific and not effective for attracting herbivore enemies when unrelated disturbances such as tree falls and windstorms occur. Additionally, we recommend avoiding ex situ BVOC sampling of cut plants, as this method alters BVOC emission patterns from both intact and damaged leaves.

Societal Impact Statement: Asian elephants play crucial roles in ecosystem functioning, and their interactions with plants influence above‐ and belowground carbon cycling. We tested whether their mechanically destructive foraging triggers short‐term, stress‐induced shifts in tree root exudation, an underappreciated pathway linking herbivory to belowground carbon processes. We found that elephant herbivory can increase root exudation (i.e., carbon release to soils), which shapes soil microbial activity and nutrient cycling. Recognizing this pathway clarifies elephants' indirect role in belowground carbon dynamics and strengthens the case for conserving ecologically functional populations to support resilient soils and ecosystems, with practical relevance for restoration and nature‐based climate solutions. Summary: Asian elephants ( Elephas maximus ) have uniquely destructive foraging habits, damaging large numbers of saplings of fast‐growing, early‐successional trees. We hypothesized that elephant foraging might increase root carbon exudation rates as a stress response, potentially altering belowground carbon dynamics in tropical forests. We aimed to evaluate (1) how varying herbivory intensities affect root exudation rates; (2) how these effects vary among tree species and over time; and (3) how root exudation rates correlate with root traits and soil properties. We simulated elephant herbivory on saplings of three early‐successional tree species commonly consumed by elephants, applying three levels of damage: control (no damage), mild (10% aboveground biomass removal), and severe (50% removal). We then quantified root exudation rates in situ at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h post‐damage. The three tree species differed in their basal root exudation rates and displayed species‐specific responses to herbivory. Macaranga indica doubled its exudation rate after mild damage but showed no response to severe herbivory; Ficus hispida exhibited elevated exudation rates following severe herbivory but not after mild herbivory; and Bauhinia variegata did not respond to either level. Exudation rates also correlated with root traits and soil properties, supporting a traits–environment–disturbance framework. We identified a previously underappreciated pathway by which large browsing herbivores—particularly elephants—influence belowground biogeochemical processes and soil organic carbon pools in tropical forests through short‐term, species‐specific shifts in root carbon exudation. These findings have implications for conservation, restoration, and nature‐based solutions—via elephant‐compatible forest mosaics, targeted species screening, and soil‐function monitoring.