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 <answer>dead</answer>. Some uncertainty still exists as to whether heartwood is truly <answer>dead</answer>, as it can still chemically react to decay organisms, but only once.
What adjective describes fully formed heartwood?
dead