deadwood
Fallen branches, figuratively
Deadwood is wood that is dead—branches or trees no longer living.
In forestry, clearing deadwood reduces fire risk.
Figuratively, deadwood refers to people or things that are no longer useful or productive: The new CEO promised to cut the deadwood from upper management.
The word implies dead weight that burdens an organization. (Capitalized Deadwood is a place name.)
Thin woody shoots
- snagsUnforeseen complications
- brushBristled cleaning tool
- litterScattered waste or debris
- detritusLoose waste from decay
duff · underbrush · decay · forest floor · windfall · slash · storm damage · blowdown
Cutting away excess
- removalAct of taking away
- arboristTree care specialist
- shearsHeavy-duty cutting blades
- branchesLimbs of trees
clipping · thinning · tree care · canopy management · limbing · cutback · clearance · lopping
No longer in use
- antiquatedOld and outdated
- outmodedNo longer in fashion
- archaicBelonging to earlier times
- superannuatedMade obsolete by age
anachronistic · relic · dinosaur · vestigial · defunct · disused · redundant · legacy systems
Oppressive weight or duty
- liabilityLegal or financial obligation
- hindranceBarrier to progress
- unproductiveFailing to achieve results
- uselessWithout practical value
baggage · obstacle · drain · passengers · underperformers · freeloaders · slackers · hangers-on
Material for starting fires
- logsCut wood sections
- cordwoodWood sold by volume
- splittingDividing into parts
- stackingPlacing items vertically
campfire · hearth · embers · bonfire · fuel · woodpile · burning · tinder
Resistance to altered motion
- stasisState of inactivity
- standstillTotal cessation of movement
- doldrumsState of inactivity
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
impasse · moribund · torpor · atrophy · entrenchment · complacency · ossification · inflexibility
twigs
Thin woody shoots
detritus · duff · underbrush · decay · forest floor · windfall · slash · storm damage · blowdown
trimming
Cutting away excess
branches · clipping · thinning · tree care · canopy management · limbing · cutback · clearance · lopping · hedging
outdated
No longer in use
- antiquatedOld and outdated
- outmodedNo longer in fashion
- archaicBelonging to earlier times
superannuated · anachronistic · relic · dinosaur · vestigial · defunct · disused · redundant · legacy systems · old guard
burden
Oppressive weight or duty
- liabilityLegal or financial obligation
- hindranceBarrier to progress
- unproductiveFailing to achieve results
useless · baggage · obstacle · drain · passengers · underperformers · freeloaders · slackers · hangers-on · waste
kindling
Material for starting fires
stacking · campfire · hearth · embers · bonfire · fuel · woodpile · burning · tinder · woodstove
inertia
Resistance to altered motion
- stasisState of inactivity
- standstillTotal cessation of movement
- doldrumsState of inactivity
gridlock · impasse · moribund · torpor · atrophy · entrenchment · complacency · ossification · inflexibility
- foresttrees, pine, oak, leaves, branches
- forest lifesquirrel, fox, rabbit, owl, woodpecker
- card gamespoker, blackjack, solitaire, hearts, spades
- rainforestrainforest, jungle, tropical, tropics, canopy
- Wildfireswildfire, grass fire, surface fire, spot fire, fire front
- woodlandoak tree, oak trees, beech, oaks, birch
deadwoodessential
Fundamentally necessary
necessary · needed · indispensable · vital · critical
deadwoodasset
Item of value owned
dynamo · workhorse · driving force · key player · powerhouse