dead·wood 
/ˈdɛdˌwʊd/ noun
/ˈdɛdˌwʊd/ noun [noncount] 1 : people or things that are not useful or helpful in achieving a goal
▪ She's determined to get the deadwood out of the company. ▪ the government's bureaucratic deadwood 2 : dead wood on a tree
▪ a healthy tree with no deadwood
▪ She's determined to get the deadwood out of the company. ▪ the government's bureaucratic deadwood
▪ a healthy tree with no deadwood
