Explain why heartwood cannot conduct water and mineral salts.
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Because in heartwood there is deposition of gums,tannins,resins,etc. which makes it hard and non-conductable.
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Heartwood is located in the center of the tree trunk. As trees become older and entire cross-section of their trunk is not required to conduct the water and mineral salts. They require more structural support which caused significant changes in their wood and cells near the center of the trunk die and become heartwood. Conversion of sapwood to heartwood seizes their ability to conduct water and mineral salts. Heartwood contains large amount of secondary compounds such as resins, phenols, terpenes to make it more resistant against the attack by insects, fungus and decaying organisms.
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