Definition of "sapless"

[…] ThouFor whose path the Atlantic’s level powersCleave themselves into chasms, while far belowThe sea-blooms and the oozy woods which wearThe sapless foliage of the ocean, knowThy voice, and suddenly grow grey with fear,And tremble to despoil themselves: O, hear!

1819 (date written), Percy Bysshe Shelley, “Ode to the West Wind”, in Prometheus Unbound […], London: C[harles] and J[ames] Ollier […], published 1820, part III, stanza III, pages 190-191

Below, all their earthward-looking branches are sapless and shattered, splintered by the weight of many winters’ snows; above, they are still green and full of life, but their summits overtop all the deciduous trees around them, and in their companionship with heaven they are alone.

1861, Oliver Wendell Holmes, chapter 13, in Elsie Venner‎, volume I, Boston: Ticknor & Fields, page 234

O young John Talbot! I did send for theeTo tutor thee in stratagems of war,That Talbot’s name might be in thee revivedWhen sapless age and weak unable limbsShould bring thy father to his drooping chair.

1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act IV, scene v]

O smooth my rugged heart, and thereEngrave thy rev’rend Law and fear:Or make a new one, since the oldIs saplesse grown,And a much fitter stoneTo hide my dust, then thee to hold.

1638, George Herbert, “Nature”, in