Arboriculture Terms

wood that is altered (inward) from sapwood and provides chemical defense against decay causing organisms and continues to provide structural strength to the trunk. Trees may or may not have heartwood (contrast with sapwood).

any of several types of fungal decay of tree heartwood. often beginning with infected wounds in the living portions of wood tissue. Also called heart rot.

systematic process of identifying hazardous and non-hazardous conditions (see risk assessment).