"No," Skulduggery said with a chuckle. "Sediment is the deposition of rocks and soil. Sentience has more to do with being capable of rational thought or emotion. I try to avoid breaking organic things which might be sentient - at least, not without asking first."

In light of that thought, Skulduggery stepped forward and carefully touched the bark of the tree with two fingers. "Are you alive?" he asked. "And, if so, would you have any issue with us removing what looks like your heart?"