A core layer which is suitable for a multilayer composite which has at least one surface layer and one core layer, wherein the surface layer is arranged so as to at least partially cover the core layer and be fixedly connected thereto, wherein the core layer has elements composed of wood, which elements have plate-like regions which are arranged in zig-zag-shaped fashion, wherein a plate-like zig region of an element with an adjoining plate-like zag region of the element form a common edge between them, in such a way that the wood element of zig-zag-shaped form is formed, wherein elements of zig-zag-shaped form are arranged in the core layer such that two such edges of two different elements cross one another at a non-zero angle, and wherein the two elements are fixedly connected to one another at the crossing point. In one embodiment, a wood element of zig-zag-shaped form may be adhesively bonded to a planar wood element, in such a way that a wood element of zig-zag-shaped form is surrounded by two planar wood elements in sandwich-like fashion; or two wood elements of zig-zag-shaped form surround a planar wood element in sandwich-like fashion.