Heartwood (or duramen) is wood that as a result of a naturally occurring chemical transformation has become more resistant to decay. Heartwood formation occurs spontaneously (it is a genetically programmed process). Once heartwood formation is complete, the heartwood is dead. Some uncertainty still exists as to whether heartwood is truly dead, as it can still chemically react to decay organisms, but only once. COUNT 5
QSN1 What's another word for "duramen"? ANS1 Heartwood QSN2 What is heartwood naturally resistant to? ANS2 decay QSN3 How does heartwood formation occur due to its being genetically programmed? ANS3 spontaneously QSN4 What adjective describes fully formed heartwood? ANS4 dead QSN5 Despite being considered dead, what can heartwood have one chemical reaction to? ANS5 decay organisms