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What is the difference between heartwood and sapwood?

November 1, 2021

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The key difference between heartwood and sapwood is that heartwood is a dead inner wood whereas sapwood is the outermost part of living wood. Also, heartwood occupies a significant portion of the wood’s cross-sectional area, while sapwood occupies a small area. In addition, sapwood is often pale in color compared to heartwood. Heartwood and sapwood are two areas in the cross section of a woody stem. Both types of wood can perform important functions in wood.

The key difference between heartwood and sapwood is that heartwood is a dead inner wood, whereas sapwood is the outermost part of living wood . Also, heartwood occupies a significant portion of the wood’s cross-sectional area, while sapwood occupies a small area. In addition, sapwood is often pale in color compared to heartwood.

Heartwood and sapwood are two areas in the cross section of a woody stem. Both types of trees perform important functions in trees.

Table of Contents

Video on The Difference Between Heartwood and Sapwood

What is Heartwood?

Heartwood or Duramen contains a secondary xylem that is blocked by the inner part of the xylem stem. The formation of the heartwood is genetically programmed. With growth, the stems increase in diameter by forming new xylem and phloem. Thus, the more centered old xylem becomes obsolete. Heartwood is known as one of the few very durable Woods.

Freshly cross-section of Laburnum

Then, this neck part is converted into a part with essential functions in the tree. For this, cells and chemicals in the center of the body accumulate. Some of these compounds are resins, terpenes and phenols. So this gives the heartwood a dark color. In addition, this gives resistance to rot and the ability to avoid insect and fungal infections. Also, this allows for functional changes. Therefore, the main function of the heartwood is to provide tree structure support.

What is Sapwood?

Sapwood or laburnum is the starting form of the tree of all trees. It occurs in a thin layer of cells under the shell called the angiogenic cambium, which produces wood cells on the inside and barks cells to the outside. Therefore, sapwood always contains living, newly formed cells. Also, since these cells contain no resin-like chemicals, the sapwood is light and has a soft texture. However, it is more susceptible to fungal and insect attack.

Wood Growth and Structure

The main function of sapwood is to transport water and nutrients throughout the plant. Collectively, water and nutrients are known as sap. In addition, the cells in the sapwood provide structural support to the tree.

Similarities Between Heartwood and Sapwood

Heartwood and lumber are two types of wood that occur in the cross section of woody wood.
A significant proportion of both types of wood contain secondary xylem. Also, both are formed from the action of the angiogenic layer.
Also, both types of trees are important for maintaining the life of the tree. Provides tree structure support.

Difference Between Heartwood and Sapwood

Differences	Heartwood	Sapwood
Characteristics	Heartwood refers to the dense inner part of the trunk of a tree, heartwood produces the strongest wood.	Sapwood refers to the soft outer layer of wood, this is also the difference between heartwood and sapwood
Alternate Names	Another Name for heartwood is duramen, this is the different Name between heartwood and sapwood	Another name for sapwood is alburnum
Origin of Wood	heartwood occurs in the center of the stem	sapwood occurs at the periphery
Cells	cells of the heartwood are relatively old, most of them are dead, heartwood has dense cells, This is also the difference between heartwood and sapwood	The cells of the sapwood are young and most alive, the sapwood cells are loosely arranged
color is another difference between heartwood and sapwood	heartwood is dark in color	Sapwood is Light in color
Weight	Heartwood is Heavier	Sapwood has a Light Weight
Xylem	Heartwood mainly contains dead non-functional secondary xylem, Also, in heartwood, the lumens of organs and blood vessels are blocked by Tyler formation.	sapwood mainly contains living and functional secondary xylem. In sapwood, the ducts and blood vessels are unobstructed.
Conductivity	heartwood acts as an insulator	Sapwood act as a conductor
Configuration	Heartwood contains a lot of lignin	sapwood contains a lot of other cellulose
Function	Heartwood provides tree structure support	sapwood transports water and nutrients while providing structural support
Durability	heartwood is durable, heartwood is resistant to insect and fungal infections,Heartwood is Suitable for furniture.	Sapwood is not Durable, sapwood is susceptible to fungal infections and insect attack.Sapwood is not suitable for furniture.