In species which show a distinct difference between heartwood and sapwood the natural color of heartwood is usually darker than that of the sapwood, and very frequently the contrast is conspicuous (see section of yew log above). This is produced by deposits in the heartwood of chemical substances, so that a dramatic color difference does not mean a dramatic difference in the mechanical properties of heartwood and sapwood, although there may be a dramatic chemical difference. COUNT 5
QSN1 When trees have a visible difference in color between sapwood and heartwood, which is darker? ANS1 heartwood QSN2 What is deposited naturally in heartwood that changes its color? ANS2 chemical substances QSN3 Is the color difference between heartwood and sapwood usually very subtle or conspicuous? ANS3 conspicuous QSN4 What type of properties of heartwood and sapwood is often the same even if their colors are very different? ANS4 mechanical QSN5 Although heartwood and sapwood might be similar mechanically, if their colors are very different, what other type of difference would they have? ANS5 chemical