Soft Wood Vs. Hard Wood

Softwoods and hardwoods have more to do with trees than how tough the lumber is.

The terms hardwood and softwood have no relevance to the actually hardness of the wood. The terms are used by the lumber industry to identify families of wood based on other factors.

Types of trees

Deciduous trees, which drop their leaves each year, are classified as hardwoods. Conifers, trees that have needles and are sometimes called evergreens, are classified as softwoods.

Facts

Hardwoods are more dense than softwoods and they are slower growing. Some softwoods, cypress for example, are actually harder than some hardwoods, such as basswood.

Grain

Hardwoods have a more distinctive grain pattern than softwoods because the trees use these pores to transport water to feed the nuts and fruits they produce. Softwoods do not have the same need for water transportation because they simply drop their seeds.

Uses

Hardwoods are used to produce fine furniture and to make flooring. Softwoods are used in the construction of buildings, in millwork and to make paper.

Examples

Some examples of hardwoods include oak, maple, ash, mahogany and birch. Softwoods include Douglas fir, white pine, yellow pine, cedar and redwood.

References

• Do It Yourself: Softwood vs. Hardwood
• University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension: Wood Identification for Hardwood and Softwood Species Native to Tennessee