Understanding Wood

Heartwood is the darker, non-living wood at the center of a tree log that provides structural support as the tree ages. Natural chemicals accumulate in heartwood to resist decay, making it a durable material for construction applications.

Heartwood is at the center of a log’s cross-section and is usually darker in color than the surrounding sapwood. Heartwood is not “living” wood; its job is to support the tree. As a tree gets older and larger, storage cells in its center die. Various natural chemicals collect there, providing decay…

This story was originally published by JLC Online.