Question

Give the difference between heart wood and sap wood.

Answer 1

Hint: Basically, wood is an organic material which is composed of fibrous and porous secondary xylem tissues in the stem that provides the mechanical support to the tree.

Complete Answer:

Sl.No	HEARTWOOD	SAPWOOD
1.	Heartwood is found in the centre of an old stem.	Sapwood is found in the peripheral part of an old stem.
2.	Cells present in heartwood are older compared to sapwood.	Cells that constitute sapwood are comparatively younger.
3.	It is dark in colour.	It is light in colour.
4.	It is considered to be the non-functional or dead part of the secondary xylem.	It is considered to be a living and functional part of secondary xylem.
5.	Substances like tannins and resins are stored in cells.	Cells of sapwood don't store any substance.
6.	Heartwood wood is heavier and durable.	It is light in colour and not a durable wood.
7.	It is repellent of fungus and insects.	It is not suited to make furniture.
8.	Heartwood is also known as duramen.	Sapwood is prone to fungus and insect
9.	As the tree ages, the amount of heartwood increases.	Throughout the lifespan of a tree,the amount of sapwood is almost constant.

Note: Remember that as the trees get older, the inner living cells of sapwood lose its functionality and turn into heartwood. Also the number of annular rings present in the wood determines the age of a tree.