Hardwood vs. Softwood Trees

An amazing Oak Tree… well known “hardwood”.
This is just a quick science lesson for the day. What is the difference between “Hardwood” and “Softwood” trees?


Well, it really has nothing to do with the wood being hard (dense) or soft (not dense), although that is where the terminology likely began.

Hardwood trees are angiosperms (flowering plants)… also known as broad-leafed trees, and they are mostly deciduous (lose their leaves in the winter). Hardwoods typically cook hotter and longer. Hardwoods typically are used in furniture, flooring, musical instruments, and veneers.

Examples of hardwood trees:

  • All fruit trees (apple, banana, cherry, citrus, fig, jujube, mulberry, olive, pawpaw, pear, plum, quince, etc.)
  • All nut trees (buckeye, butternut, chestnut, hickory, oak, walnut, etc.)
  • Alder
  • Ash
  • Aspen
  • Balsa
  • Basswood (aka Lime)
  • Beech
  • Birch
  • Boxelder
  • Catalpa
  • Corkwood
  • Dogwood
  • Elm
  • Eucalyptus
  • Gum
  • Hornbeam
  • Ironwood
  • Laurel
  • Locust
  • Mahogany
  • Maple
  • Poplar
  • Sassafras
  • Sycamore
  • Teak
  • Willow
A very old Yew Tree… a “softwood” species.

Softwood trees are gymnosperms (plants that have seed with no covering… “naked seeds”)… also known as conifers that are evergreens (keep their leaves, or needles, in the winter). Softwoods comprise most of the world’s timber supply. This is because they grow faster than hardwoods and can be quite strong.

Examples of softwood trees:

  • Cedar
  • Cypress
  • Fir
  • Hemlock
  • Larch
  • Pine
  • Redwood
  • Spruce
  • Yew

Original Article Here

Muhammad Ramzan Rafique
Muhammad Ramzan Rafique

I am from a small town Chichawatni, Sahiwal, Punjab , Pakistan, studied from University of Agriculture Faisalabad, on my mission to explore world I am in Denmark these days..

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