noun
- Plural of duramen; the hard, inner wood of a tree trunk that no longer participates in the transport of sap.
Usage: technical; forestry term; also called heartwood
Examples
- The duramens of old oak trees are prized for their strength and durability in furniture making.
- Foresters distinguish between the lighter sapwood and the darker duramens when assessing timber quality.
- The duramens provide structural support to the tree even after the outer sapwood dies.
- Different tree species have duramens that vary in color, density, and resistance to decay.