Heartwood vs. Sapwood

Heartwood is the central core of the trunk. Sapwood is the outer light-colored portion of a tree trunk through which the water passes from the toots to the leaves. In most woods the heartwood can be distinguished from the sapwood by its darker color and heartwood is stronger than sapwood as it is denser, dryer than sapwood. Heartwood is also called as duramen, dead, central wood of trees. Its cells usually contain tannins or other substances that make it dark in color and sometimes aromatic. Heartwood is mechanically strong and resistant to decay.