heartwood

[ hahrt-woo d ]
/ ˈhɑrtˌwʊd /

noun

the hard central wood of the trunk of an exogenous tree; duramen.

Origin of heartwood

First recorded in 1795–1805; heart + wood1

Example sentences from the Web for heartwood

British Dictionary definitions for heartwood

heartwood
/ (ˈhɑːtˌwʊd) /

noun

the central core of dark hard wood in tree trunks, consisting of nonfunctioning xylem tissue that has become blocked with resins, tannins, and oils Compare sapwood

Scientific definitions for heartwood

heartwood
[ härtwud′ ]

The older, nonliving central wood of a tree or woody plant, usually darker and harder than the younger sapwood. Unlike the sapwood, it no longer conducts water, and its main function is the support of the tree.