Heartwood is the central, older, and non-living wood of a tree. It's the core of the trunk and branches, composed of dead cells that have ceased to transport water and nutrients. Over time, these cells become filled with resins, tannins, and other compounds that make the heartwood denser, harder, and more resistant to decay and insect attacks than the sapwood. It provides structural support for the tree. The color of heartwood often differs significantly from the sapwood, ranging from darker shades of brown and red to black, and this coloration can be a key identifier in wood identification and wood processing, especially in furniture making, cabinetry, and building construction. Although dead, it remains crucial for the overall integrity of the tree. Its presence gives the timber its strength.
Heartwood meaning with examples
- The carpenter carefully selected planks of oak heartwood for the table legs, knowing they would provide exceptional strength and durability. Its rich, dark color added to the table's aesthetic appeal, while its resistance to rot would ensure its longevity for generations. He preferred heartwood for the stability it offered, despite the additional effort of working with such dense timber.
- After the storm, forestry workers examined the fallen trees, noting that the exposed heartwood of many of the larger pines remained largely intact, despite severe damage to the surrounding sapwood. This resistance demonstrated the critical protective function of the heartwood, helping preserve the tree from rapid decomposition during the period when the timber was exposed to external influences.
- The craftsman specializes in crafting instruments from the resonant heartwood of old-growth trees, which creates warm tones and sustains longer than timber harvested with the sapwood still in its structure. He has experimented extensively to develop new instruments from different varieties, hoping to unlock more from the structural qualities of the heartwood.
- The lumber mill carefully separates the heartwood from the sapwood during the processing of trees, selling each grade of wood separately. heartwood commands a higher price due to its superior properties for furniture and construction purposes and its resistance to the elements. Their business model makes the most of the resource's value.
Heartwood Synonyms
duramen inner wood ripe wood true woodHeartwood Antonyms
alburnum live wood outer wood sapwoodHeartwood Crossword Answers
7 Letters
DURAMEN