Sapwood

Sapwood is the outer, living layers of the secondary wood of trees that transport water and minerals to the crown.

It is paler and softer than heartwood, which has more darkly staining substances and is more durable.

Sapwood contains a variety of cell types, most of which are living and physiologically active.

Sapwood can usually be distinguished from heartwood by its lighter color, but this is not always the case, as some species have colorless heartwood or colored sapwood.