Definition
Tar-wood, identical in meaning to 'tarwood,' refers to wood that is heavily saturated with resin, making it highly flammable and useful for starting fires. Think of it as nature's firestarter kit. This wood, often found in coniferous trees, contains natural oils that burn intensely. It was historically used to create tar, a substance utilized for waterproofing and preservation. The hyphenated form is simply an alternate spelling. It signifies a wood rich in flammable, tar-like substances.