Sapwood
Sapwood conducts water upward through the tree. This topic is part of Botany within Science & Nature. This page currently draws on 5 supporting questions, with answers and bonus facts available below.
Sapwood trivia questions
Sapwood is the younger outer portion of what tissue?
Answer: Xylem
Bonus fact: Sapwood conducts water upward through the tree.
Compared with heartwood, sapwood is usually what color?
Answer: Lighter
Bonus fact: Heartwood often darkens as compounds accumulate.
What is sapwood's main physiological role?
Answer: Transport water and minerals
Bonus fact: Functional xylem vessels in sapwood carry the transpiration stream.
Why is heartwood often darker than sapwood?
Answer: It accumulates resins, tannins, and other compounds
Bonus fact: Deposited compounds can also increase decay resistance.
Does heartwood usually conduct much water in a living tree?
Answer: No
Bonus fact: Water transport occurs mainly in younger sapwood.