noun
- the hard, inner wood of a tree trunk, typically darker and denser than the surrounding sapwood; heartwood.
Usage: technical; forestry and botany term
Examples
- The duramen of an oak tree is prized for its strength and resistance to decay.
- Foresters distinguish between the duramen and sapwood when assessing timber quality.
- The duramen becomes darker as the tree ages and accumulates compounds that protect it.
- Unlike sapwood, the duramen no longer transports water and nutrients through the tree.
- Furniture makers prefer duramen because it is more durable and less prone to insect damage.