Multiple　description　coding　(MDC)　is　a　way　of　trading　off　coding　gain　with　robustness　to　channel　errors.　This　paper　presents　a　novel　and　efficient　two-description　image　coding　scheme　in　wavelet　domain.　Here,　the　two-layered　MDC　method　is　adopted　based　on　the　feature　of　wavelet　coefficients.　Firstly,　the　low-frequency　wavelet　coefficients　are　partitioned　into　two　new　correlated　groups　as　two　basic　descriptions　with　pairwise　correlating　transform　(PCT).　Secondly,　we　can　get　two　enhanced　descriptions　from　the　high-frequency　wavelet　subbands　of　the　highest-level　decomposition　by　adaptive　down-sampling.　Finally,　four　template　operators　are　adopted　to　detect　the　texture　direction　of　high-frequency　subbands,　and　we　use　the　Wavelet　Domain　Interpolation　for　tree　Reconstruction　(WDIR)　to　conceal　coefficients　loss　in　Wavelet-Trees　with　the　texture　direction　when　one　enhanced　description　lost　during　transmission.　Experimental　results　demonstrate　that　the　proposed　MDC　scheme　can　achieve　good　coding　performance.　©　2009　Springer-Verlag　Berlin　Heidelberg.