noun
heartwood
HART-wood
Heartwood (noun) means the older wood at the centre of a tree trunk or branch, which is a different colour from the sapwood around it. Example: “The heartwood of the oak was much darker than the pale sapwood.”
noun
1
The older wood at the centre of a tree trunk or branch, which is a different colour from the sapwood around it.
"The heartwood of the oak was much darker than the pale sapwood."
"Carpenters prize heartwood for furniture because of its rich colour."
"The heartwood no longer carries sap but still supports the tree."
How to use heartwood
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHeartwood is the older, denser wood found at the centre of a tree trunk.
When to use it
It is a technical term used in botany, forestry and woodworking.
Memory tip
Remember that heartwood sits at the centre of the trunk, while sapwood is the living layer around it.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
heartwood and sapwood
dense heartwood
split from the heartwood
colour of the heartwood
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The _____ of the oak was much darker than the pale sapwood.
Etymology
Heartwood is a compound of heart and wood, describing the wood found at the heart, or centre, of a stem or branch.
Rhymes for heartwood
See all rhymes for heartwood →Frequently asked questions
What is heartwood?
Heartwood is the older wood at the centre of a tree's trunk or branch, distinct in colour from the surrounding sapwood.
Is heartwood stronger than sapwood?
It is often believed to be stronger, but this is described as a popular myth rather than an established fact.
What is heartwood used for?
It is valued in woodworking; for example, staves for casks are split from the heartwood to help make a watertight container.
What is the meaning of heartwood?
"heartwood" (noun) means the older wood at the centre of a tree trunk or branch, which is a different colour from the sapwood around it.
