1. plural of sapwood; the younger, outer layers of wood in a tree trunk that conduct water and nutrients
Usage: botany; forestry

Examples

• The sapwoods of different tree species vary in thickness and color.
• Lumber mills often separate the sapwoods from the heartwoods during processing.
• The pale sapwoods contrasted sharply with the dark heartwood in the cross-section.
• Insects typically attack the sapwoods first because of their higher moisture content.
• The carpenter explained that sapwoods are generally less durable than heartwoods.
• Different sapwoods have varying resistance to decay and insect damage.